A set of new smoking and tobacco regulations in Pittsfield, Mass. went into effect yesterday; chief among them is that smoking in the city’s 27 parks is now illegal. Additionally, cigars priced under $2.50 per stick must be sold in a package containing a minimum of two cigars, as part of an effort to reduce access to them by young people.

The city is also trying to reduce the number of tobacco licenses, as the new regulations say that if a store with a tobacco sales permit closes, that license is automatically and permanently retired. Similarly, a store that fails to renew its license within 30 days of its expiration will have that license revoked.

The new rules replace and add on to existing regulations that ban smoking in all workplaces, including retail tobacco stores and private clubs, as well as within 10 feet of buildings that are open to the public. Violators face a fine of $100 for a first offense, with the number escalating to $200 for a second offense within 24 months and $300 for a third offense within that same time frame. A food service establishments could also lose its license for violating the law.

There is also a ban on all self-service displays, including language that requires all humidors, including walk-in humidors, must be locked.

Pittsfield is home to just over 44,000 people and is located on the eastern side of the state, about 125 miles east of Boston.

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Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for MLB.com, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.