[removed]Strict antismoking regulations[/removed] went into effect today in Boston after being passed by health authorities in December, giving Boston some of the most strict tobacco-control regulations in the United States. Cigarette sales are now banned in Boston pharmacies, including those in grocery stores, as well as college campus convenience stores.
Earlier today the Boston Globe examined implementation of the new rules noting, “A random sampling of pharmacies in Boston’s South End and Back Bay neighborhoods this morning showed that the stores had all removed tobacco products as required…”
City inspectors began visiting pharmacies this morning.
Ann Scales, spokeswoman for the Boston Public Health Commission told the Boston Globe, "Much to everybody’s surprise, those products were gone. In fact, they were saying a lot of the stores had made the changes Saturday or Sunday. It just seems so seamless."
Smoking was already prohibited on the patios of restaurants and bars with outdoor service. However, Boston’s Public Health Commission added to the regulation that there can be no smoking in hotels, inns or bed and breakfasts, or outdoor adjacent to indoor work areas.
The new regulation eliminated the sale of blunt-wrappers (tobacco-based rolling papers) anywhere in the city. Blunt-wrap makers have sued the city for unconstitutionally being singled out for elimination while cigarettes can still be sold at neighborhood markets and other outlets.
Another provision sparking controversy is the new ban on smoking bars, such as hookah and cigar bars. The provision states that current smoking bar owners must be out of business in 10 years.
