Massachusetts governor signs bill to combat youth tobacco use

Mass. Gov. Charlie Baker signed a critical bill today aimed at stemming the youth vaping epidemic. “An Act to Modernize Tobacco Control” is the first state law that prohibits the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, menthol cigarettes and chewing tobacco. It’s a major step to protect youth because four out of five kids who have used tobacco started with a flavored product. The bill passed both houses of the legislature with an overwhelming majority. 

The new law will also tax tobacco vaping products at the same rate as cigarettes, increase retailer fines for sales to minors, and provide for insurance-covered cessation tools.

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