It’s been on the radar since at least March, but the Pittsfield, Mass. Board of Health has finally approved an increase to the minimum age to purchase tobacco and nicotine delivery products, increasing it from 18 to 21-years-old and joining more than 100 cities and towns in passing such an increase.
The unanimous vote came at Wednesday night’s meeting, with the five member panel also voting to cap the number of tobacco retailer permits in the city at the current number of 52, a number which can go down should a store close or a license expiring due to a lack of renewal.
According to a report in the Berkshire Eagle, more than half of Massachusetts’ population now lives in areas where the minimum age to purchase tobacco products is 21, a claim made by Gina Armstrong, director of the Pittsfield Health Department.
The purchase age increase will go into effect on Nov. 1.
Pittsfield is home to nearly 45,000 residents.