June 1st Marks The End Of Flavored Tobacco Sales In Massachusetts
When I was at one store yesterday, I noticed they had put a box full of Menthol Cigarettes on the counter. The reason, of course, was the fact that the new law goes into effect as of June 1st.
Last November, Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law a bill that would prohibit the sale of all flavored tobacco products in the Commonwealth, including mint and menthol flavors, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and cigars. It also taxed e-cigarettes at 75% of wholesale and improves access to cessation services. On June 1, these measures go into effect across the Commonwealth.
It also taxed e-cigarettes at 75% of wholesale and improves access to cessation services. On June 1, these measures go into effect across the Commonwealth.
Marc Hymovitz, Massachusetts director of government relations for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network said in a Press release.
Keeping flavored tobacco products off the shelves here in Massachusetts is a huge win. Not only does it protect kids from starting on the path to a lifetime of tobacco addiction, but it protects population groups that we know Big Tobacco continually and intentionally targets with aggressive advertising campaigns and other predatory tactics including African Americans, Latinos, and the LGBTQ community.
For years the tobacco industry has made efforts to appeal to kids and communities of color through the promotion of flavored tobacco products, including mint and menthol. Taking this weapon out of Big Tobacco’s arsenal will help prevent future generations from a lifetime of addiction.
We thank Massachusetts lawmakers and Governor Baker for seeing this law through the finish line and maintaining the Commonwealth’s status as a leader in the fight against Big Tobacco.
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