The rollout of what has become a city-by-city, town-by-town increase to the minimum age to purchase tobacco products reaches the northern Massachusetts town of Townsend today, as a change to the law approved in May goes into effect today and raises the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21-years-old.
Also going into effect today is a regulation that states any new tobacco retailers must be located at least 500 feet from another permit holder. Flavored tobacco is now effectively banned in the town as well, as the board of health passed a requirement that flavored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, can only be sold in smoking bars or retail tobacco shops limited to adults. The Lowell Sun reports that there are no such stores in Townsend.
Violations of the new rules will cost a retailer $100 for the first offense, while a second violation within a 36-month period will come with a $200 fine and suspension of the tobacco retailer permit for seven days. A third violation earns a 30-day suspension of the permit and a $300 fine, while a fourth violation will require a hearing with the board of health and possible permanent suspension of the permit.
Townsend is home to approximately 9,000 residents and is located 50 miles northwest from Boston, along the New Hampshire border.