Protect teens from dangers of tobacco
In Massachusetts the sale of tobacco products, such as cigarettes is a violation of state law and, for most municipalities, local board of health regulation. The legislative intent of this prohibition is to prevent teens from becoming addicted to tobacco. The physiology of teens is such that they become addicted to tobacco more easily than adults; over 80% of adult smokers started smoking as teens. These laws hope to make it harder for teens to buy tobacco products from a retailer tobacco establishments which are a major source for teens to obtain such products.
Despite the efforts of owners of establishments selling tobacco products, some employees occasionally do not follow the protocols established to prevent illegal sales.
Such protocols include mandatory carding, as required by federal law, for individuals up to age 27. Notwithstanding these protocols, violations commonly occur during evening and weekend hours when owners and managers are not present and especially in businesses that have high employee turnover and employ many younger aged clerk.
The local Boards of Health of Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, Wilbraham, Palmer, Ludlow, Monson and Brimfield welcome receiving reports from residents who witness illegal sales to minors and, with the assistance of grant funds secured through the Mass Dept. of Public Health, can respond to such complaints. Grant funds can be used to send out Board of Health agents to local tobacco retailers to reinforce with owners and employees the provisions of the state law and local regulations and to train them on the protocols that have been found to be effective in preventing illegal sales to minors.
Complaints can be made by calling these local boards of health or, if more convenient, by calling a 24-hour, toll-free state-wide complaint line (1-800-624-5923). Complaints recorded on the state the state-wide complaint line are forwarded to the local board of health. The community's cooperation would be most appreciated.
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