Published: May 7, 2024
by Samantha Lile
In Small Business News
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New laws on the books in Massachusetts are threatening the future of some historic local tobacconist businesses.
Following a landmark decision by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, several Greater Boston towns are adopting something known as a generational tobacco ban.
As reported by Cigar Aficionado, the legislative actions are setting a precedent that could influence broader state and national tobacco regulations. Often with local governments, one board of councilpersons get their ideas from another – a monkey-see, monkey-do scenario.
In March 2023, the court upheld a bylaw in the Boston suburb of Brookline that prohibited the sale of tobacco products to anyone born in the 21st century. The ruling catalyzed similar policies across neighboring towns, each with the goal of a “Nicotine-Free Generation.”
Other towns in Massachusetts like Stoneham, Wakefield and Melrose have quickly enacted or are considering similar bans – all set to take effect by January 2025.
Brookline’s initial move to pass such a ban in 2020 was groundbreaking. Designed to prevent anyone born after Jan. 1, 2000, from purchasing tobacco products during their lifetimes, the law survived several legal challenges.
