Retailers give new mixed reviews on tobacco

The law standardizes the minimum age for the purchase of tobacco in Mbadachusetts at age 21. Ryan Kearney, general counsel for the Mbadachusetts Retailers Association, said the group was supporting the state's approach to increasing the age of tobacco, because the approach "Fragmented" individual ordinances of the city was costly and created competitive advantages. for retailers in locations with minimums of 18 years old. Nevertheless, he said the law creates a disadvantage for Mbadachusetts retailers compared to out-of-state markets, especially for businesses located near the border, and with the online marketplace.

The new law, which comes into effect December 31 Last Friday, Governor Charlie Baker said that the minimum age increase "will support long-term health for the next generation."

"Increasing the age to buy tobacco products in the Commonwealth is an important step in preventing youth addiction and encouraging choice healthy, "he said. Kate Hogan, who sponsored the bill in the House, said in a statement that the law was "vital" to prevent drug abuse and noted its impact on businesses. She said

Kearney also criticized the statutory restriction on the sale of tobacco products in "health care facilities," which includes retailers with pharmacies on their premises. He said that it creates a disadvantage for these sellers because consumers of legal age can go out and buy tobacco elsewhere.

"It's a burden imposed by the government that picks winners and losers in a very competitive market." The law also applies to electronic cigarettes and other devices that vaporize or aerosolise nicotine. Additional provisions prohibit smoking on school grounds and require that tobacco products be sold in childproof containers. The law also requires tobacco retailers to post smoking cessation posters in their stores.

Thomas Briant, executive director of the National Association of Tobacco Retailers, wrote to Baker before the bill asked him to veto it in full. or, in particular, remove sections that require the display of a cessation sign, and prohibit pharmacies and retail stores with pharmacies from selling tobacco products. He cited a federal act that he said preempted a state requiring signage and pointed a lawsuit against a New York termination posting requirement.

Briant also wrote that because the law only prohibits the purchase of tobacco under 21 the use for minors, and fails to eliminate the "social sources" of tobacco as peers older.

"All that the law does is take away the right of adults 18, 19 and 20 years old to buy tobacco products when those same people can vote, serve in the army , take out a loan for school, get married, go to public office, make contracts and make decisions about their own health care, "Briant wrote in an email. declaration

The law imposes fines on people who sell tobacco and paper to people under the age of 21, but does not impose fines on people who are caught buying them minors. Kearney said Mbadachusetts retailers had hoped that there would be at least one notification requirement to parents or a consequence for young consumers who would be caught in the act, but that was not included.

Michael Seilback, deputy vice president of the American Lung Association, said the group was "very excited" about the new law and is opposed to penalizing youth for tobacco possession at home. reason that research found that it was ineffective in reducing smoking rates. He called the Mbadachusetts law a model for the rest of the country and said the group has been working for about three years at the state level to get it pbaded, having managed to help bring in increases in the country. 39, minimum age in many cities. The law will protect young people from dangerous dependence on tobacco products and protect the citizens of Mbadachusetts from exposure to electronic cigarette emissions, "he said.

Hawaii and California were the first states at age 21, with New Jersey, Oregon, and Maine following last year. A number of other large municipalities, including New York, Chicago, San Antonio, Cleveland and Minneapolis, have also increased their minimum age of buying tobacco.

Mbadachusetts law prevents cities from raising the minimum age of 21 years. to help maintain constant competition across the state. The law will not apply to 18 year olds who will reach this age by December 31 of this year, unless they are in a municipality that has increased the age of purchase .

Nearly 9 out of 10 cigarette smokers initially tried to smoke 18, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Jamie Halper can be contacted at [email protected].