Photo: WBZ NewsRadio Archive
EVERETT, MASS. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A coalition of retailers, advocates, and trade associations are pushing back on two state bills that would allow towns and municipalities to implement its own age-restrictions on tobacco, alcohol and legal product purchases.
The coalition argued that the bill would hurt small businesses and strip adults of their right to purchase those products, and some residents also said the decision should be up to the buyer.
“If you’re 21 you have the right to smoke or not smoke that’s up to the person,” Juan told WBZ NewsRadio. “You should have the freedom to buy what you want to buy at a certain age.”
Proponents of the bill said it aims to reduce tobacco and other addictions among the younger generation.
State lawmakers had hearing last week on a revised version of the proposal. A joint Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure committee hearing is scheduled Tuesday.
“I know different cities [have their] own restrictions,” another resident said. “I don’t think it’s right.”
Seventeen communities across Massachusetts have already adopted this policy after a Supreme Judicial Court ruling upheld a similar law in 2024, allowing towns to ban sales of tobacco to certain age groups.
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojas.bsky.social) reports.