New Tobacco Laws to Take Effect June 1

The North Reading Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition and the Northeast Tobacco-Free Community Partnership are campaigning to remind residents about new state tobacco laws. These changes are designed to reduce youth vaping in Massachusetts and stop tobacco companies from targeting and addicting young people. The tobacco and vaping industries have targeted youth, LGBTQ populations and communities of color with their deadly products, causing terrible health consequences for the public. Here’s a simple summary of the law:

• All flavored e-cigarettes and nicotine vaping products can only be sold for on-site consumption at licensed adult-only smoking bars in Massachusetts. Currently, there are no such venues in North Reading.
• Starting June 1, 2020, menthol cigarettes and all other flavored tobacco products like cigars and flavored chewing tobacco will no longer be sold in stores and can only be sold for on-site consumption at licensed adult-only smoking bars in Massachusetts. Currently, there are no such venues in North Reading.
• Starting June 1, 2020, e-cigarettes and nicotine vaping products will increase in price because of an excise tax on the wholesale price.

The new law removes flavored tobacco and nicotine products from stores to protect youth. Flavors, including mint and menthol, have been identified as a leading reason why youth begin vaping and using tobacco.

For more information about the law, visit mass.gov/NewTobaccoLaw or contact Ashley Hall, MS at the Northeast Tobacco-Free Community Partnership, ashley.hall@glfhc.org or (978)722-2864.

Help for those who want to quit vaping, smoking or using other tobacco products is available for FREE at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) and KeepTryingMA.org. For additional nicotine treatment programs, including virtual options during COVID-19, contact Laura Miranda at lmiranda@nrpd.org or call (978)357-5038