A Massachusetts town that adopted an unusual ordinance banning the sale of tobacco to anyone born in the 21st century is being looked at as a possible model for other cities and towns hoping to further clamp down on cigarettes and tobacco products.
The bylaw — the first of its kind in the country — was adopted by Brookline in 2020 and last week was upheld by the state’s highest court, opening the door for other communities to adopt similar bans that will, decades from now, eventually bar all future generations from buying tobacco.
The rule, which bans the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 2000, went into effect in 2021 in the town of about 60,000 next to Boston.
This is a bit much; I’d rather see UK-style warnings on tobacco products, and a ban on smoking in public places, including outdoors. That way those who choose to consume tobacco are free to do so (as they should be) but they are thoroughly and completely warned of the consequences, and they can’t pollute the air around them for others. There are few things worse than being stuck downwind of a smoker on a public sidewalk (especially as an ex-smoker — you never stop missing tobacco in my experience).
“free” is a relative term. Driven by addiction might be more accurate for many.
I don’t personally believe companies should be allowed to encourage addiction to make money.
The warnings do absolutely nothing as well.