1. Tobacco Control Regulation
Board of Health
Ted Whittaker, Chairman
Judith Giorgio, Health Agent
Public Hearing June 5, 2017

2. Tobacco
TOBACCO USE REMAINS THE LEADING CAUSE OF PREVENTABLE DEATH IN THE US, KILLING MORE THAN 480,000 AMERICANS EACH YEAR
APPROXIMATELY 5.6 MILLION ADOLESCENTS WHO ARE CURRENTLY UNDER THE AGE OF 18 WILL DIE PREMATURELY DUE TO A SMOKING-RELATED ILLNESS
Because of this, BOH is proposing raising the legal age to purchase tobacco products to 21

3. Kids are becoming addicted to nicotine and dying.
About 95% of adult smokers begin smoking before the age of 21, and about 80% try smoking before 18
3 of 4 teen smokers end up smoking into adulthood
Adolescents are vulnerable to the addictive effects of nicotine
The US Surgeon General stated “the potential long-term cognitive effects of exposure to nicotine in this age group are of great concern.”
Exposure to nicotine can have lasting, negative consequences on brain development

4. Many teens get cigarettes from an older classmate, a sibling, or even strangers
High school students interact daily with year olds that can legally buy them tobacco
In order to eliminate under aged smoking, more smoke-free environments need to be created and terminate areas that smoking is allowed

5. Trends Increasing the price of tobacco products
Raise the MLA of tobacco purchase to 21
Enacting comprehensive smoke-free policies
Controlling access to tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and combustible and noncombustible products
Expanding cessation treatment in clinical care settings and providing access to proven cessation treatment to all smokers
Implementing hard-hitting anti-tobacco media campaigns
Fully funding tobacco control programs at CDC-recommended levels
Reducing tobacco advertising and promotion directed at children

6. ➤ As of 2017, over 140 cities have passed Tobacco 21 in MA.
Cape Cod Towns: Falmouth, Mashpee, Yarmouth, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham, Provincetown
➤ Senate Bill 1218 (1/23/17): proposed bill to increase sales From 18 to 21 statewide..

7. Major proposed changes to BOH regulation
Raising the legal age to purchase to 21
Include Vaping products(E-Cigarettes, liquid Nicotine etc.)in the definition of tobacco products
Banning the sale of Blunt wrappers
Expanding the 2nd hand smoke protection to “Membership Associations”
Ban the issuance of new Tobacco Sales Permits within 500 ft. of School

8. Questions?