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viernes, 12 de julio de 2013

metrowestdailynews.com, UK, 12 de Julio de 2013

Ashland health board to discuss new tobacco regulations

ASHLAND —The Board of Health is hosting a public discussion Tuesday to hear residents and business owners' opinions on proposed tobacco regulation changes, including one that would increase the legal age to purchase tobacco in town to 21.


The meeting will be at Town Hall, 101 Main St., and is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

Health Agent Mark Oram said the board is also considering a regulation that a tobacco and nicotine sales permit will not be given to new businesses within 500 feet of a school.

Oram said the board has worked with the Massachusetts Municipal Association's Municipal Tobacco Control Technical Assistance Program for help in drafting the new regulations and now it wants to hear what people in town think.

Of all the new regulation proposals, Oram said he expects the increase in the age to purchase to generate the most conversation.

"I have already talked to some residents who said they will be at the meeting to speak in favor of it," Oram said.

A number of Bay State communities have increased the minimum age to buy tobacco from 18 years old, including Needham (21), Walpole (19) and Westwood (19), according to the MMA's tobacco control assistance program. Alaska, Alabama, Utah and New Jersey set the minimum age at 19 years old statewide.

No decision is expected on the new regulations at Tuesday's meeting, and Oram said the board will work on the regulations during the fall in order to have something in place by the start of 2014.

Joe O'Connell can be reached at 508-626-3957 or joconnell@wickedlocal.com


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