Bill > S1568

This bill aims to create a "nicotine free generation" by prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to individuals born on or after January 1, 2006. The legislation expands the definition of "tobacco product" to include a broad range of nicotine-containing items such as cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, vaping devices, and other nicotine delivery systems, while excluding FDA-approved tobacco cessation products. The bill modifies existing laws to explicitly ban tobacco sales to people born in 2006 or later, regardless of their current age. It also includes a provision that allows the commonwealth and its political subdivisions to implement even stricter restrictions on tobacco sales if desired. The new regulations will not take effect immediately, but are scheduled to be implemented on January 1, 2027, giving businesses and the public time to prepare for the change. This approach represents a novel policy strategy to gradually eliminate tobacco use by preventing an entire generation from legally purchasing tobacco products.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1568