Why is Jason Lewis Silent on PUP Laws

Self-proclaimed progressives like Senator Jason Lewis seem to have no problem attacking small business owners despite the fact that these businesses are not really being part of a problem.

The state recently raised the age to purchase tobacco to 21 under the claim that it would prevent high school kids from accessing and using tobacco products.

Given the recent popularity of e-cigarette products like Juul, which has recently been showing up in many high schools, it seems to make sense that we treat all legal adult-only products the same when it comes to keeping them out of the hands of children, right?

Except we don’t.

Massachusetts is one of only 5 states that still allow minors to purchase, possess and use cigarettes or tobacco and nicotine in any form. That’s right, you cannot legally stop a child in the Commonwealth from buying or using tobacco. Fourty-five states and the District of Columbia have PUP laws that make it clear to all that minors should not be in possession of, or using tobacco.

So, what real good does raising the age to 21 do if we don’t close this gaping loophole in tobacco control laws? Not much. Let’s be crystal clear: I am not defending Big Tobacco. My kids fully understand that I am anti-tobacco that smoking is not ok, and they are keenly aware that there will be some consequences if they are caught using it. I say this, for two reasons: first, anyone who has the courage to point out the truth about the failures of our youth tobacco prevention programs is instantly labeled as a lackey of the tobacco industry; and second, progressive, anti-tobacco lobbyist in Massachusetts claim that PUP laws seek to “criminalize our children.” Funny that we don’t seem to feel that way about PUPS laws for alcohol or marijuana, isn’t it? In both cases, nothing could be further from the truth.

A key fact that officials like Senator Lewis are loath to admit in their effort to court favor from progressive special interests that seek to completely outlaw tobacco – a legal adult-only product: the overwhelming majority of minors who obtain tobacco are not getting it from local small business retailers.

Why does this matter?

Because Senator Lewis and others like him continuously fail to address the real issue, and instead constantly attack local retailers, seeking to limit their ability to sell these products to legal aged adults who, whether we like it or not, have a right to buy products we may not personally approve of. In doing so, they claim it's all about protecting minors.

Our kids are smart. They aren’t walking into local stores to buy tobacco and retailers work hard to stop them if they do. Kids are purchasing these products on the Internet; they are buying or “bumming” them from older friends, or sneaking them from adults. This is backed up by consistent evidence from the Center for Disease Control’s research that regularly shows 4 of 5 kids getting tobacco from social sources, not responsible retailers.

If we are serious about stopping our children from using tobacco in any form, we need elected leaders that are willing to recognize reality, and pass laws that address that reality, no matter how unpopular or inconvenient. We do not need leaders motivated by making popular headlines or those who fear political retribution from special interests for doing the right thing.

It is no secret that I am a staunch defender of local business owners who serve our communities responsibly. These businesses are creating jobs, while they diversify and strengthen our economy. It is no secret that, as I challenge Senator Lewis for his seat in our state Senate that I will not shy away from uncomfortable subjects or difficult decisions.

The fact is we need to update our views of tobacco control to reflect modern realities. We need policies that protect our children that also respect an adult’s right to make adult choices. If we are serious about wanting to protect our kids from becoming the next generation of smokers, we need to be talking about treating it just as we do the other legal, adult-only products like marijuana and alcohol.

If there is a desire in the state to make tobacco completely illegal, we should be talking about it, not hiding behind our kids while we fail to protect them.

I look forward to seeing what my opponent has to say about this, and other uncomfortable truths in the days to come.

Erin Calvo-Bacci

Candidate for State Senate in the 5th Middlesex District

Reading, MA