Massachusetts lawmakers to propose comprehensive tobacco ban

Lawmakers in Boston, Massachusetts, are set to propose legislation banning all tobacco products, joining California’s efforts to prevent tobacco sales to anyone born after 2007.

Brookline, a Massachusetts town, already prohibits tobacco sales to individuals born after January 1, 2000. This policy complements existing state laws restricting flavored tobacco products, often targeted at young consumers.

Tobacco retailers have criticized these measures, arguing they infringe on personal freedoms and hurt business. Legal challenges have been dismissed, with the Massachusetts Supreme Court upholding local authority to implement stricter anti-smoking regulations.