Here Is When Milford's New Tobacco Ordinance Goes Into Effect

MILFORD, CT — The city of Milford has picked April 19, 2019 as the date for when its new tobacco ordinance will go into effect. The city recently voted to raise the minimum age for people to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21 years of age.

"Raising the tobacco age to 21 will help counter the industry's relentless efforts to target young people at a critical time when many move from experimenting with tobacco to regular smoking," the Milford Health Department says.

In a 2015 report, the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine predicted that raising the minimum legal sales age for tobacco products at twenty-one nationwide will result in substantial public health benefits, such as reducing tobacco initiation among adolescents ages 15 to 17 by 25 percent.

The new ordinance requires retailers to post signs stating that "The Sale of Tobacco or Nicotine products or devices to persons under 21 is prohibited within 30 days of the effective date of the ordinance.

The Milford Police Department will enforce this ordinance.