Last March, the Supreme Judicial Court upheld Brookline’s innovative Bylaw, The Nicotine-Free Generation. Following Brookline’s lead, I with colleagues docketed an ordinance change to protect Newton’s young people from starting a smoking habit. This new law would prevent the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after January 1, 2004.
The Programs and Services Committee discussed this item twice last spring. Some felt that free will is more important than protecting health. Health professionals feel that there is no “free will” with regard to tobacco once someone is addicted. Government often intervenes when public health is involved – for example in stopping the sale of lead in paint, or asbestos in anything, and mandating seat belts.
Here is a quote from the Policy Guide to Cities and Towns published in December 2024:
“Nicotine Products are highly dangerous and addictive no matter the user’s age. Combustible tobacco products are the only consumer product that when used as directed kills many of its users, and they remain to this day, the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. When examining the comparative preventable risks of alcohol, cannabis, lottery, and betting on sports, combustible tobacco dramatically exceeds all others combined.”
I would like Newton to join Brookline and the 12 other cities and towns that have passed a similar law since last March. This will likely be voted at the Programs and Services Committee meeting on Wednesday, January 8. If you agree with the idea that we should pass this to prevent young people from picking up the deadly smoking habit, please let the Programs and Services Committee and the City Council know your thoughts by writing to citycouncil@newtonma.gov and address your comments to the Chair of the Programs and Services Committee, Joshua Krintzman.
Thanks very much.
Susan Albright
Councilor-at-Large Ward 2