I was appalled to learn that Newton’s City Council has overwhelmingly approved a ban on tobacco sales to people born after a particular date. If approved by the Mayor, this law will set a dangerous precedent by creating separate classes of citizens with different legal rights. If this is accepted, it is easy to imagine future legislators restricting women from purchasing products known to affect fetal health or egg equality, banning people above a certain age from driving, and taking other similar steps allegedly in support of public health.
There are many means of disincentivizing smoking that do not set Newton on such a slippery slope, and I applaud the four Councillors who opposed this ill-conceived measure.
Sincerely,
Kimberly Gladman
Newton Centre
