Somerville Sees Positive Reaction After Raising Tobacco Purchasing Age

Somerville tobacco consumers will have to be 21 years old or older to purchase tobacco products in the city as of Mar. 15.

Somerville has raised the legal age to purchase tobacco products to 21 under rules recently adopted by the Somerville Board of Health, as confirmed by Doug Kress, Somerville’s Director of Public Health. The rules take effect on March 15. Kress says that the community’s reaction has been positive.

“We have not received any pushback or negative comments from the community,” Kress told Patch.”Rather we have had several positive comments and thank you and congratulations comments.”

The new rules ban tobacco sales in pharmacies as well as nearly all flavored tobacco product sales. Smoking is also now prohibited in any motel, hotel, bed and breakfast or nursing home. In addition, smoking is banned with 50 feet of a public building, healthcare institution and in outdoor areas of restaurants and bars.

Boston made a similar switch in December, and Kress said that this is trending all across the Commonwealth.

“The Board of Health is very supportive of identifying means to limit the access of nicotine delivery products (and use); this is a means to do such,” Kress said.

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