The 87th community in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is close to raising its tobacco purchase age from 18 to 21. This time it is Marion, which is located in the southeast quadrant of the state with a population of just under 5,000 people.
In the Commonwealth, the local Board of Health are able to implement regulations that are deemed to be for health related reasons and does not need the support of a Town Meeting.
While the measure is not yet official it is expected to pass when the Board of Health gets together for its next meeting on Tuesday, January 26, 2016.
The new regulations will also require the sale of cigars to a minimum package of four, prohibit the sale of blunt wraps and prohibit tobacco vending machines.
Business that violate the new proposal would be subjected to a $100 fine for the first violation, $200 and a 7 days license suspension for a second offense, while a third offense within 3 years would result in a $300 fine and 14 days license suspension.
