BOSTON – Today, the Massachusetts Senate voted in support of legislation that would prohibit the sale of all flavored tobacco products in the Commonwealth, including mint and menthol flavors, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco and cigars. It would also tax e-cigarettes at 75% of wholesale and improve access to cessation services.
The following can be attributed to Marc Hymovitz, Massachusetts director of government relations for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN):
“Today is a historic day in Massachusetts: we are one step away from becoming the first state in the nation to restrict the sale of all flavored tobacco products and in doing so, protecting our kids from one of Big Tobacco’s go-to methods of creating new generations of addicted users.
“More than 80% of teens who have ever used a tobacco product started with a flavored product, and the tobacco industry knows this. Today’s vote proves that lawmakers have heard loud and clear from kids and their parents across the state: they are tired to being targeted by the tobacco industry, and ready to say goodbye to the sale of flavored tobacco in Massachusetts.
“On behalf of the next generation of Massachusetts kids, we urge Gov. Baker to sign into law this comprehensive piece of tobacco control legislation. Signing this bill into law would continue Massachusetts’ tradition as a national leader in fighting Big Tobacco, and youth across the Commonwealth would reap the rewards.”
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.
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