BOSTON - Today, Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law a bill that that will prohibit the sale of all flavored tobacco products in the Commonwealth, including mint and menthol flavors, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco and cigars. It also taxes e-cigarettes at 75% of wholesale and improves 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):
“The Commonwealth has staked its claim as a national leader in the fight against Big Tobacco. With the stroke of his pen, Gov. Baker made history for Massachusetts, making us the first state in the nation to implement a full sales restriction on all flavored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and menthol cigarettes.
“Keeping flavored tobacco products off the shelves here in Massachusetts is an epic win for our kids, because it helps protect future generations from starting on the path to a lifetime of tobacco addiction. Coupling this action with a price increase on e-cigarettes and improved access to cessation services sets Massachusetts apart with a comprehensive tobacco control program that proudly outpaces the rest of the nation.
“On behalf of the next generation of Massachusetts kids, we thank legislative leadership for shepherding this lifesaving bill across the finish line and extend sincere appreciation to Gov. Baker for signing into law this critical tobacco control legislation.”
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About ACS CAN
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.