Somerville, Massachusetts will limit e-cigarettes to just-store stores
This comes on the heels of Massachusetts and increases the legal age of tobacco purchases from 18 to 21, which comes into force on 31 December.
Somerville's movement, the first of its kind in the state and possibly the nation, continues by taking menthol and e-cigarettes out of stores, like convenience stores, those teenagers can enter. The new limitation in this city outside of Boston comes into effect on April 1, 2019. "19659003]" These products are shamelessly marketed to teens, who have become their main users without understanding health, and therefore we are "I have seen the surgeon's Secretary General of To take significant steps to put an end to this public health crisis, Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone said in a written statement.
"We rise to the challenge of becoming an early adopter of these regulations," continues Curtatone, "and takes the necessary steps to stop the disease of nicotine addiction among our young."
These findings, released in November, sounded new alarms about a growing epidemic.
"We still believe that non-combustible forms of nicotine supply, such as e-cigarettes, may be less harmful alternatives to today's dependent adult smokers who are still seeking nicotine," FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb said last month.
"But as we have said before, we will not allow this opportunity to come at the expense of addicting a whole new generation of children to nicotine," he added. "We must close the ramp to nicotine addiction for children, although it risks reducing the ramp from smoking for adults."
Vince Willmore, Notice for Communicating for the lawyer group, applauded Somerset's movement, saying he believes the city is "the first to restrict the sale of all e-cigarettes to adult tobacco only."
But Willmore said what should happen extends beyond the municipalities. He wants the FDA to take a stronger position as well.
What he and his other lawyers would like to see include an end to electronic sales of e-cigarettes "until stronger security measures are in place to prevent child sales," he said.
He also wants to see a ban on flavored e-cigarettes, unless manufacturers can prove that specific flavors are effective in helping smokers to habit.
Those who struggle against the daily war against teenage use of nicotine can and should take inspiration from local struggles, Willmore said.
"Somerville has made represent the kind of powerful action we need to deal with … public health distress," he said. "It's a good example of what other societies have to do."
