Massachusetts Considers Raising Tobacco Purchase Age to 21

The legislators are also discussing a tax on soft drinks.

May 17, 2017

BOSTON – Legislation that would increase the commonwealth’s tobacco buying age to 21 has been gaining momentum in Massachusetts, Boston.com reports. The bill would also forbid healthcare companies from selling tobacco products and prohibit electronic cigarettes in workplaces.

Already, more than 140 Massachusetts localities have approved a higher tobacco buying age. Gov. Charlie Baker has said he would support an increase to 21 for tobacco purchases. In 2016, the Senate passed a similar bill, but the legislation stalled in the House.

Other states toying with raising the minimum tobacco buying age include Washington, Texas, Arizona, Oregon, Nebraska, Connecticut, Vermont, Florida, New York and North Carolina. Currently, only California and Hawaii have statewide restrictions on being 21 to buy tobacco, although around 200 other localities have also raised the minimum tobacco purchase age above 18. For more, read “Must Be 21 to Buy” in NACS Magazine.

Meanwhile, some lawmakers are pushing for a tax on sugared soda, CBS Boston/Associated Press reports. “The goal of this legislation is to reduce the consumption of sugary drinks, replacing [them] with water and other healthier beverage choices, particularly among children and teenagers,” said state Sen. Jason Lewis, a sponsor.

The measure would have a tiered tax rate tied to sugar content per 12 ounces over 5 grams of sugar. Drinks with between 5 and 19 grams of sugar per 12 ounces would have a tax rate of 1 cent per ounce. Beverages with 20 or more grams of sugar per 12 ounces would have a tax rate of 2 cents per ounce. The Harvard School of Public Health predicted the tax could generate around $368 million in annual revenue.

“There are much better ways to fund programs important to our communities than a tax that threatens jobs, hurts our local businesses and hits working-class families the hardest,” according to the Massachusetts Beverage Association.

Baker doesn’t like the idea, either. “I don’t think we should be raising taxes and I’ve said that before, especially not a tax that basically hits low-income people a lot harder than it hits everybody else,” he said.

Earlier this month, Santa Fe, New Mexico, residents voted against a tax on soda.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement