Starting on February 1st, 2015 the legal age to purchase tobacco in the town of Andover will be increasing from 18 to 21. The new regulation which was approved by the Board of Health will also change where tobacco can be sold.
According to Health Director Tom Carbone, “I think Andover has always been a progressive community as far as public health goes. The idea of looking to raise the minimum age of tobacco purchases is something that is based on statewide trends, and something that will come sooner or later, at least at a state level.”
The town will also prohibit the sale of tobacco at stores that are within 500 feet of a school and also prohibit sales at health care institutions such as pharmacies and medical centers.
Andover has also capped the amount of permits for tobacco sales at 14, which is the current number of permits for the town. This means the end of proposed hookah lounge, and should a tobacco permit become available there is language in the Board of Health ruling that has completely banned hookah lounges.
Andover, MA is home to 33,000 residents over 32.1 square miles and was formed in 1642.
