Marblehead Raises Smoking Age to 21

MARBLEHEAD, MA — Marblehead this week joined a growing number of Massachusetts communities in raising the smoking age.

The town's Board of Health approved the measure Tuesday, according to the Marblehead Reporter. No one younger than that will be able to purchase cigarettes or e-cigarettes.

The measure includes several more provisions:

• It bans flavored tobacco
• It bans smoking at beaches, parks, and playgrounds

The measures go into effect July 1, according to the Reporter.

Last year, Swampscott officials approved a similar tobacco measure.

State lawmakers are currently working on a bill that would raise the tobacco age to 21 from 18.

Photo: Ben Stephenson via Flickr