Massachusetts Eyes First-in-the-Nation Nicotine Ban

Jonesing for a butt could find you crossing state lines for a drag on your favorite nicotine product. Massachusetts has already banned menthol cigarettes and is now jockeying to be the first state in the nation to ban tobacco and nicotine products altogether.

This seems strange in a state that recently legalized recreational marijuana, but nanny states don't always make logical sense, do they?

What Is the Nicotine-Free Generation Law?

Legislation pending before the Legislature's Public Health Committee would permanently ban those Massachusetts residents not old enough to purchase tobacco from ever doing so legally in the state in the future.

According to State House News Service, "That group will turn 21 in 2027 – the legal age in Massachusetts when, under current law, they would be able to buy tobacco or nicotine."

The idea is to phase out the products "without affecting older adults who already smoke cigarettes, vape, or use nicotine pouches like Zyn."

Neighboring States Offer a Loophole

More strangeness as Massachusetts, a relatively small state, shares a border with six surrounding states, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island, where tobacco sales would not be prohibited.

I could walk from my house into Rhode Island to buy smokes, should I choose. Would Massachusetts post nicotine police at the border?

ConvenienceStoreNews.com (CSN) stated the so-called "Nicotine-Free Generation" law, "which would prohibit adult consumers born after January 1, 2006 from ever purchasing tobacco and nicotine products, and other products in the state, is not without its detractors."

How Massachusetts Communities Have Responded

CSN reported the New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association told the committee that "several local communities – including Worcester, Peabody, Milton, and Westfield – have rejected NFG laws."

CSN said Bellingham's Annual Town Meeting recently voted down an NFG proposal.

Public Health vs. Personal Choice

I think most folks would agree that smoking cigarettes or using other nicotine products is not a healthy choice, but I wonder if encouraging people to stop, or never start, might be a better option than telling people how to behave.

Whatever happened to being pro-choice? I suppose choosing what to do with your body is okay if the elite do-gooders say it's okay.