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Boston Board of Health approves changes to sale of flavored tobacco products

BOSTON — The Boston Board of Health has voted to approve changes to regulations aimed at curbing vaping and tobacco use among teens and young adults.

In the changes made on Monday, menthol and mint tobacco and vaping products can only be sold at verified adult-only tobacco retailers.

In addition to removing the menthol exemption, the amendments strengthen retailer ID checking requirements and restrict the sale of products that attract young people.

Proposed in Sept. 2019, Mayor Marty Walsh and the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) introduced legislation that would limit the sale of flavored tobacco and vaping products, claiming they target teenagers and young adults.

In November, a public hearing was held where city officials received feedback from the community. Convenience store owners voiced their concerns and said they oppose the ban because they fear they'll lose a lot of business without methol tobacco products.

However, city leaders say this change will be worth it in the long run.

"What we are seeing now with the explosive expansion of vaping products risks reversing decades of gains in reducing youth tobacco use," said Boston Board of Health Chair Manny Lopes. "When it comes to local tobacco control, data shows strong policies work. I believe today’s actions take important steps to prevent Boston’s youth from entering into a lifetime of nicotine and tobacco dependency."

The regulatory amendments also seek to address long-standing disparities in tobacco use patterns and associated mortality from diseases such as heart disease, cancer and stroke.

Studies have shown that among the adult population in the country, black adults suffer the most from the effects of tobacco-related mortality of any ethnic or racial group. Tobacco use is a major contributor to the three leading causes of death among African Americans - heart disease, cancer and stroke.

"I believe that now is the time to act, and I applaud the Board of Health for taking action to ensure Boston has some of the strongest regulations in the country to protect our young people," said Mayor Walsh. "Teen vaping is an epidemic that is particularly alarming because we know that nicotine use at a young age can have the power to lead to a lifelong dependency. The data is undeniable in showing that these amendments would save lives."

The proposed amendments were presented at the Board of Health meeting in September. It was followed by a public comment period, which ran from September 18, 2019 through November 8, 2019.

Retailers have until Jan. 1, 2020 to implement these changes.

>> Despite vaping-linked deaths, new study says it's still safer than cigarettes