The Grafton, Mass. Board of Health isn’t wasting any time in implementing an increase to the minimum age to purchase tobacco products, as Monday’s approval of the proposal goes into effect Sept. 1.
In addition to making the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21, the board also approved a ban on tobacco sales within 500 feet of a school, a ban on tobacco sales at educational or medical facilities, a minimum price for single cigars of $2.50 and a ban on flavored cigars being sold anywhere except smoking bars and tobacco retail stores where only adults are allowed. Fines for violating the new law have also been increased from $100 to $300 for a first violation, with a seven-day suspension of a sales permit and fine for a second violation and a 30-day license suspension and fine for a third offense, according to a report from The Grafton News.
The increase brings Grafton in line with more approximately 130 other cities and towns throughout the state to increase the minimum purchase age for tobacco products to 21, however a bill to make the increase statewide ran out of time to get passed during the most recent legislative session.
Grafton is home to an estimated 17,765 residents and is located about 43 miles southwest of Boston.