North Andover Considers Tougher Tobacco Controls

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — The Board of Health is considering new rules that would ban the sale of flavored tobacco products and cap the number of stores allowed to sell tobacco products in North Andover. The board, which raised the local age to purchase tobacco products to 21 in 2015, is considering the regulations on the basis that flavored cigarettes, cigars or chewing tobacco are typically marketed as a way to entice younger people to try tobacco. The town currently has 17 businesses that are licensed to sell tobacco.

"More easy access promotes greater use," Chairman Frank MacMillan said at last week's meeting according to the Eagle Tribune, which first reported this story. The board is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the proposed regulations on Sept. 28.

For more on this story, see the Eagle-Tribune.