By Bob Katzen
Another proposal before the Public Health Committee would eventually end the sale of all nicotine and tobacco products in the Bay State. The proposal will not take away the right to purchase nicotine and tobacco products from anyone who is already legally able to do so. Instead, the measure would prohibit people under 21 who are not currently old enough to legally purchase nicotine and tobacco products, to ever be lawfully able to purchase these products in Massachusetts.
“Hundreds of thousands of Americans die from smoking-attributable causes each year, and smoking continues to be the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States,” said sponsor Sen. Jason Lewis (D-Winchester). “Massachusetts prides itself on being a national and even world leader in public health, which is why I was proud to file this bill to establish a statewide Nicotine-Free Generation policy, modeled after local policies already enacted in many Massachusetts cities and towns, including every community that I represent. This bill will not take away the right to purchase nicotine and tobacco products from anyone who is already legally able to do so. Rather, this legislation will protect future generations, who are being targeted by Big Tobacco, from the harms of smoking and create a healthier world for the next generation.”