The Charlestown Substance Abuse Coalition Praises Boston’s New Tobacco Policies
Community Supports Restrictions on Sales to Minors
New tobacco policies passed by the Boston Public Health Commission’s Board of Health on Thursday, December 1st take important steps to expand restrictions on minors accessing tobacco and nicotine delivery products. The Charlestown Substance Abuse Coalition (CSAC), a member of the Boston Alliance for Community Health (BACH), played an active role in conveying community support. BACH collectively submitted over 400 signatures in support of these policy changes.
CSAC, a program of the MGH Center for Community Health Improvement, is a community-based coalition of residents, businesses, organizations, professionals, and advocates who work together to reduce substance abuse in Charlestown. Through a unified, collaborative approach, the coalition utilizes existing community resources, organizes programs to identify needs, and harnesses the energy and commitment of all to provide a safe, healthy environment in Charlestown.
“The best way of reducing youth smoking is to have comprehensive tobacco control policies in place that apply to the whole population,” said CSAC Youth Prevention Director, Sarah Coughlin. “With our youth prevention efforts in Charlestown, we are working hard to build new and strengthen existing protective factors as well as reverse or reduce risk factors in our youth and these policy changes are completely inline with our efforts.”
Since 90% of adult smokers start using tobacco before their 18th birthday, policies that make it more difficult for youth to acquire tobacco and nicotine products are important. Existing regulations allow for youth of any age to purchase electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), which contain even more nicotine than a normal cigarette. The new Boston regulation will restrict the sale of electronic cigarettes to those 18 and over, and require a permit to sell the product. Additionally, Boston’s new tobacco control policies prohibit the sale of loose mini cigars or cigarillos, requiring them to be sold minimally in a package of five. Affordability plays a significant role in youth consumption of tobacco products. Prior to this regulation, mini cigars have been available in Boston for as little as $0.50 each, making them an inexpensive alternative to cigarettes. Additionally, the Board of Health approved a proposal to treat e-cigarettes like tobacco products, including requiring retail establishments to obtain a permit to sell them, prohibiting their use in the workplace, and restricting their sale to adults only. The e-cigarette restrictions will take effect immediately; the new cigar packaging regulation goes into effect in 60 days after the December 1st vote, on January 31, 2012.
Community Supports Restrictions on Sales to Minors
New tobacco policies passed by the Boston Public Health Commission’s Board of Health on Thursday, December 1st take important steps to expand restrictions on minors accessing tobacco and nicotine delivery products. The Charlestown Substance Abuse Coalition (CSAC), a member of the Boston Alliance for Community Health (BACH), played an active role in conveying community support. BACH collectively submitted over 400 signatures in support of these policy changes.
CSAC, a program of the MGH Center for Community Health Improvement, is a community-based coalition of residents, businesses, organizations, professionals, and advocates who work together to reduce substance abuse in Charlestown. Through a unified, collaborative approach, the coalition utilizes existing community resources, organizes programs to identify needs, and harnesses the energy and commitment of all to provide a safe, healthy environment in Charlestown.
“The best way of reducing youth smoking is to have comprehensive tobacco control policies in place that apply to the whole population,” said CSAC Youth Prevention Director, Sarah Coughlin. “With our youth prevention efforts in Charlestown, we are working hard to build new and strengthen existing protective factors as well as reverse or reduce risk factors in our youth and these policy changes are completely inline with our efforts.”
Since 90% of adult smokers start using tobacco before their 18th birthday, policies that make it more difficult for youth to acquire tobacco and nicotine products are important. Existing regulations allow for youth of any age to purchase electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), which contain even more nicotine than a normal cigarette. The new Boston regulation will restrict the sale of electronic cigarettes to those 18 and over, and require a permit to sell the product. Additionally, Boston’s new tobacco control policies prohibit the sale of loose mini cigars or cigarillos, requiring them to be sold minimally in a package of five. Affordability plays a significant role in youth consumption of tobacco products. Prior to this regulation, mini cigars have been available in Boston for as little as $0.50 each, making them an inexpensive alternative to cigarettes. Additionally, the Board of Health approved a proposal to treat e-cigarettes like tobacco products, including requiring retail establishments to obtain a permit to sell them, prohibiting their use in the workplace, and restricting their sale to adults only. The e-cigarette restrictions will take effect immediately; the new cigar packaging regulation goes into effect in 60 days after the December 1st vote, on January 31, 2012.
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