Massachusetts

Mass.' Increased Age Requirement for Tobacco Now in Effect

Tobacco sales to those under the age of 21 will be prohibited across Massachusetts beginning Monday

Massachusetts residents under the age of 21 will no longer be able to purchase cigarettes and other tobacco or vaping products beginning on Monday.

The minimum age required to purchase such products was increased from 18 to 21 after the Massachusetts House overwhelmingly approved the proposal in May. Gov. Charlie Baker then signed a bill imposing the new restrictions in July.

People who turned 18 before Monday will still be able to purchase tobacco products unless they are in a municipality that has implemented the higher age limit locally.

Needham was the first city in the country to raise its minimum age for tobacco purchases 14 years ago, with at least 194 towns and cities in the state following since.

The new restriction places Massachusetts as the sixth state to require all tobacco consumers to be at least 21-years-old, joining California, Maine, New Jersey, Oregon and Hawaii. Washington D.C. also follows the raised age minimum.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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