Boston to raise tobacco-buying age to 21

The Boston Public Health Commission voted unanimously Thursday night to increase the legal cigarette-buying age in the city to 21.

The Commission’s new regulations will also increase the admission age to tobacco stores and smoking bars to 21 and will limit flavored tobacco and nicotine products to adult-only retailers, WHDH reported, adding that the decision will take effect in 60 days.

“I am proud to stand with our Board of Health. It is our responsibility to do what we can to guide our young people and create a healthier future for all Bostonians,” Mayor Marty Walsh was quoted by WHDH.Boston will now join 80 other Massachusetts communities that have raised their smoking ages.

A group that represents convenience store and gas station owners opposed raising the tobacco age, saying it would hurt business without solving the issue of teen smoking, WCVB stated in a related article.

Massachusetts lawmakers are now considering a bill that would make 21 the statewide legal age for buying tobacco, WCVB added.