Massachusetts and Boston both set a minimum sales age of 21 for all tobacco and nicotine vaping products under MGL Chapter 270 Section 6 and the Boston Public Health Commission Tobacco Control Regulations.
MGL Chapter 270 Section 6 makes it illegal to sell any tobacco or nicotine product, including e-cigarettes and vape pens, to anyone under 21 in Massachusetts. The Boston Public Health Commission's Tobacco Control Regulations adopt and enforce the age-21 rule citywide and require photo-ID verification for anyone appearing under 30. Retailers must display state and BPHC age-of-sale signage and complete annual employee training. BPHC conducts compliance checks using youth inspectors. Boston also caps the number of tobacco retailer permits citywide and requires all retailers, including pharmacies that previously sold tobacco, to comply (Boston has banned tobacco sales in pharmacies since 2009).
Selling to a minor or failing to check ID can lead to BPHC fines starting at $1,000, suspension or revocation of the tobacco retailer permit, and referral to MA DPH for state action.
Boston, MA
Vape and e-cigarette retailers in Boston need a tobacco permit from the Boston Public Health Commission, must follow the citywide retailer cap, the age-21 mi...
Boston, MA
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See how Boston's tobacco age restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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