Northampton City Hall

(Jim Russell photo)

NORTHAMPTON -- The city's Board of Health will convene a hearing next month to accept public comment on a proposal to further restrict tobacco and nicotine sales in the community, including a measure to increase the minimum purchase age to 21.

The Sept. 15 hearing will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Northampton City Hall, 210 Main St.

In addition to the new age requirement, the board is proposing regulations that would restrict the sale of flavored tobacco in Northampton and decrease the number of tobacco and nicotine-delivery product permits in the city from 36 to 27.

According to the city's Health Department, 26 establishments currently possess tobacco and nicotine sales permits. The proposal to restrict flavored tobacco is aimed at vaping products. The new regulations would permit sale of flavored vaping products at businesses that are already licensed as tobacconists.

According to Northampton's public health director, Merrideth A. O'Leary, Glassology Inc., at 137-B Damon Road, is the only licensed tobacconist in the city. Their permit to sell requires patrons to be at least 21 years old to enter the premises.

"Raising the minimum purchase age of tobacco and nicotine-delivery products is a promising strategy to reduce smoking and other tobacco use among youth," O'Leary said in a statement.

"Many smokers start as children or young adults, and these age groups are heavily targeted by big tobacco -- by selling tobacco products named gummy bear, purple people eater, cotton candy, sweet tarts," she said.

Two years ago, the Board of Health voted to ban smoking, including via e-cigarettes, at municipal parks and recreation areas. Those regulations banned smoking and vaping at "all outdoor areas of restaurants, bars, taverns where food and/or beverages are sold."

The regulations already in effect prohibit smoking within a "25-foot buffer zone around municipal building entrances and exits." The prohibition includes "public transportation, bus and taxi waiting areas."

At the board's Aug. 4 meeting, the panel also discussed ways to "support/work with Northampton Public Housing on moving toward smoke-free housing."