War on Tobacco Continues in Boston

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Boston Mayor Marty Walsh is taking steps to raise the age to buy all tobacco and nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, to 21. Walsh announced the amendments to raise age on Wednesday.

“It is our responsibility to do what we can to guide our young people and create a healthier future for all Bostonians” said Mayor Walsh. “We know the consequences of tobacco use are real and can be devastating. These proposed changes send a strong message that Boston takes the issue of preventing tobacco addiction seriously, and I hope that message is heard throughout Boston and across the entire country.”

Despite major gains in reducing the number of adults and youth who smoke cigarettes, smoking is still the leading cause of preventable death in the United States.

“By raising the tobacco sale age to 21, Boston can continue its longstanding leadership in fighting tobacco and help make the next generation tobacco-free,” said Kevin O’Flaherty with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

In addition to raising the age to buy tobacco and nicotine products to 21, the mayor also proposed the following amendments:

• Increase the age of admission to adult-only retail tobacco stores and smoking bars to 21
• Prohibit the sale of flavored tobacco products and nicotine delivery products other than menthol in all retail outlets except for adult-only retail tobacco stores and smoking bars
• Simplify and streamline current regulations, making them easier to understand and administer, ensuring that restrictions on the sale of tobacco products in pharmacies and educational institutions include e-cigarettes and other nicotine delivery products
• Clarify the authority of the Tobacco Control Program to review tobacco permit applicants’ violation history when reviewing applications and renewals

A public hearing on these changes is scheduled for Dec. 3, 2015. The Board of Health is expected to vote on Dec. 17 regarding these changes and, if approved, they will become effective 60 days after passage.

In September, Mayor Walsh signed an ordinance to prohibit the use of smokeless tobacco and other tobacco products at baseball parks, including Fenway Park. The ordinance also bans smokeless tobacco or any other tobacco product at event sites for professional, collegiate, high school or organized amateur sporting events.