Boston mayor has proposed a new regulation that states the legal smoking age should be raised up to 21.
Mayor Marty Walsh of Boston has suggested new changes about the city's tobacco and cigarette regulations. According to him, the minimum age of an individual that will buy cigarettes and other nicotine products should be increased to 21.
In a statement, Walsh explained the main reason why he suggested the new set of tobacco regulation.
"It is our responsibility to do what we can to guide our young people and create a healthier future for all Bostonians. We know the consequences of tobacco use are real and can be devastating," stated by the Boston Mayor.
"These proposed changes send a strong message that Boston takes the issue of preventing tobacco addiction seriously, and I hope that message is heard throughout Boston and across the entire country," the mayor added.
The suggested proposal by Walsh also bans the usage and selling of tobacco and even e-cigarettes in pharmacies and educational institutions. For cigarette stores, the admission age limit will also be raised to the age of 21. The selling of flavored cigarettes in any place will be banned suggesting that the retailing of these kind of products will only be acceptable in the legit tobacco retail stores.
Throughout the United States, smoking is considered as the major cause of avoidable deaths. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 480,000 deaths associated with the use of cigarettes per year.
The proposed regulation is still subject to the approval of the city's Board of Health. On December 3, a public hearing will be conducted which will be followed with the acceptance of written comments until December 9.
According to Walsh, smoking has been on a decrease for the Boston teens. The Boston mayor stated that in 2013, there were only 7.9 percent of teens using cigarettes compared to the 15.3 percent in the year 2005.
