On September 15th, 2014 the amendments passed by the Pittsfield, MA Board of Health go into effect. The regulations called the Environmental Tobacco Smoke and the Sale of Tobacco and Nicotine Deliver Products takes this things to a whole new level.
First the city is planning to reduce the amount of permits to sell tobacco and all stores must be at least 500 feet from a school. The new amendment will also regulate the pricing and packaging of cigar sales.
Beginning on September 15, single-stick sales will be restricted and all cigars will be only allowed to be sold in an original package of at least two cigars. However, if the cigars sell for more than $2.50 each, than single-stick purchases will be permitted.
Penalties will be assessed to those who violate this regulation: first violation, $250; second violation within a 24-month period, $350 and a seven-day suspension of tobacco sales permit; third violation within a 24-month period, $500 and a 14-day suspension of tobacco sales permit.
Also all tobacco permits will be permanently retired if a retailer closes a business or fails to renew his permit within 30 days of expiration. If a business is sold, the new owner has 60 days to transfer the license.
There will no new tobacco licenses issued in Pittsfield, MA for new businesses to sell tobacco product.
