TAKE ACTION! - DUE Dec. 12, 2025
I support the Fight Against Efforts to Repeal or Weaken Massachusetts' Strong State and Local Tobacco Laws!
Dear Chairs Payano and Chan:As a tobacco prevention advocate in Massachusetts, I am writing to ask that you oppose Senate Bill 270 filed by Senator O'Connor. This bill would exempt hookah tobacco from the flavored tobacco restriction law. Flavored tobacco products are designed to attract young people. Data from FDA’s Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health found that nearly 80 percent of youth ages 12-17 and nearly 75 percent of young adults ages 18-25 who were current tobacco users in 2014 reported that the first tobacco product they ever used was flavored. Allowing even one tobacco product type an exemption would substantially weaken the law.
I also ask that you oppose the following bills: Senate Bill 371 filed by Senator Frost, Senate Bill 221 filed by Senator Driscoll, House Bill 330 filed by Representative Cahill. These bills would preempt and limit local governments’ ability to create and adopt policies based on what they know is best for their communities. The work of local boards of health is to protect and improve health based on science. Traditionally, the strongest and most innovative tobacco control policies have emerged at the local level.
Massachusetts has made tremendous public health gains in reducing tobacco and nicotine use, and these proposed bills would be a significant step backwards. I ask that you remain firm on your commitment to protecting young people from the harmful effects of addictive tobacco products.
Thank you for your support!
Sincerely,
Name/Address/Phone/Organization
You can email the sample letter above to JointCommittee.ConsumerProtection&ProfessionalLicensure@malegislature.gov or just click on the button below and copy and paste the sample letter into your email.
To mail a letter via US Postal service, please use these addresses:
The Honorable, Pavel Payano, Senate Chair
Joint Committee on Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure
24 Beacon St., Room 413-B
Boston, MA 02133
The Honorable,Tackey Chan, House Chair
Joint Committee on Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure
24 Beacon St., Room 42
Boston, MA 02133
Status of this TFM priority issue
Several bills were filed that would repeal or weaken our strong state and local tobacco laws in Massachusetts.TFM opposed the following bills heard on October 20th by the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure:
- S.270 An Act relative to small businesses and the sale of certain cultural products. This bill would exempt hookah tobacco from the flavored tobacco restriction law.
- H.330/S.221 An Act to clarify the minimum age for the sale and purchase of adult-use products. These bills would preempt and limit local governments’ ability to create and adopt policies based on what they know is best for their communities.
- H.371 An Act relative to local boards of health and the sale of legal consumer products in the Commonwealth. This bill would preempt and limit local governments’ ability to create and adopt policies based on what they know is best for their communities.
S.1528 An Act to repealing the state menthol ban.
H.2379/S.1498 An Act relative to tobacco harm reduction. This bill would exempt some products from the flavor ban law.
H.2419 An Act relative to local boards of health and the sale of legal tobacco products in the Commonwealth. This bill would preempt local communities from passing local tobacco control ordinances.
We are fighting these harmful bills and are watching for others that would weaken tobacco control laws.
The tobacco industry is well-funded, tenacious, and continues to be active in Massachusetts. It works to make its products appear harmless and acceptable through pervasive marketing, maintaining a strong presence in communities, manipulating small businesses, and influencing decision-makers. We commit to monitoring tobacco industry activity and countering its actions. |
