Boston enforces age 21 minimum for tobacco and vape sales under federal T21, Massachusetts state law (2018), and Boston Public Health Commission regulations. Massachusetts banned all flavored tobacco statewide in 2020 (Chapter 133), and Boston requires a city tobacco retailer permit. Menthol cigarettes, flavored vapes, and flavored cigars are prohibited.
Boston applies the federal Tobacco 21 law (Dec 2019), Massachusetts Chapter 157 of the Acts of 2018 (effective Dec 31, 2018), and Boston Public Health Commission Tobacco Control Regulation, which collectively prohibit sale of any tobacco product to persons under 21. The regulation covers cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes, vape pens, nicotine pouches, and hookah. Massachusetts Chapter 133 of the Acts of 2019 (effective June 1, 2020) banned the sale of all flavored tobacco products statewide, including menthol cigarettes, flavored cigars, and flavored e-liquids — making Massachusetts the first state to do so. Boston goes further by prohibiting tobacco sales in pharmacies and any retailer with a healthcare-institution component. Retailers must obtain a Tobacco Sales Permit from the Boston Public Health Commission and renew annually. Photo ID must be checked for any purchaser appearing under 27. Compliance is enforced through BPHC inspections and underage decoy operations.
First retailer offense: $1,000 fine; second within 36 months: $2,000 plus 7-day permit suspension; third: $5,000 plus 30-day suspension; fourth: permit revocation. Selling flavored tobacco carries separate fines up to $5,000 per violation. Pharmacy tobacco sales: $1,000 per occurrence. Furnishing tobacco to a person under 21 is a state offense with fines up to $1,000.
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