Newton Licensing Commission Passes Ban On Nips

NEWTON, MA — Newton's Licensing Commission on Monday passed a ban on the sale of nip bottles, effective June 30, 2022.

The ban was initially proposed by City Councilors Emily Norton, Andrea Kelly, and Alison Leary at the June 21 City Council meeting. The Licensing Commission agreed to consider the ban at their August 17 meeting.

The ban specifically prohibits "the sale of miniature, single-use containers for alcoholic beverages in containers less than or equal to 100 milliliters" with the goal of protecting the local environment by reducing littering.

The delay in implementing the law gives Newton liquor stores over six months to sell their inventory before the ban goes into effect.

Newton joins several other Massachusetts communities, including Chelsea and Mashpee, that have already banned the single-use bottles.