Photo: WBZ NewsRadio
MANSFIELD, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The town of Mansfield plans on advancing several controversial bylaws limiting access to tobacco and nicotine products for particular age groups.
The legislation, also known as the "generational ban," would forever ban the sale of the products to anyone born on or after a certain date.
Several store owners are challenging the Mansfield Board of Health's proposed ordinance, claiming it's discriminatory and would create a dangerous illicit market.
The measure would forever prohibit the sale of cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, and chewing tobacco to certain generations. It would also move products like nicotine pouches to adult-only stores, limiting access for those trying to curb their usage of traditional tobacco and nicotine products.
Communities like Brookline and Chelsea have enacted the "nicotine-free generation" policies, while cities like Worcester dismissed the proposed legislation, citing government overreach.
The New England Convenience Store & Energy Marketers Association opposes the measure, claiming that fewer than two out of 100 youth nationwide reported using a nicotine pouch in the last 30 days. They are adamant that the plan addresses a problem that doesn't exist while also impacting retailers' revenue.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Jay Willett (@JayWilletWBZ) reports.