Photo: Matt Shearer/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Discussions have begun at the State House about making Massachusetts nicotine and tobacco-free.
The proposed plan, found in Bills H.2562 and S.1568, would be that the sale of certain tobacco products would be prohibited to people born after January 1, 2006.
This discussion has left many Boston residents divided on whether a ban on such products would be a good idea for the state.
Brianna from East Boston was not supportive of it, saying how this could negatively impact businesses.
“I don’t think it’s going to result in what they want,” Brianna said. “It is impeding on a business’s freedom to sell things that are legal.”
Derek had a similar thought process, saying that people will just go out of state to get these items, which will lead to even more out of state purchase of items bought in conjunction with the tobacco products.
“People are going to make their purchases out of town,” Derek said. “And while they’re out of town, they’re going to buy gas. In any other town, they’re going to buy food.”
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Katherine from London compared the potential ban to the bygone era of the alcohol ban of the 1920s
“It’s like prohibition,” Katherine said. “It’s like, are we going backwards or are we going forwards?”
Not everyone felt negatively about this, however. Terri is very supportive of the potential ban, especially in regard to her children and the actual act of smoking.
“I’m cool with it; I think smoking is terrible and I have three little boys,” Terri said. “I’d like to see a time when they grow up where cigarettes aren’t a part of their daily life.”
Lawmakers began debating Bills H.2562 and S.1568 on Monday.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Jim MacKay (@JimMacKayOnAir) reports.