How young is too young? When it comes to purchasing drugs and alcohol, officials and medical professionals want to make a strong effort to protect children, teens, and young adults (given the extreme dangers of fully legal, controlled drugs on the open market.) After all, the last thing a state government wants to handle is an epidemic of addicted children. Now, Massachusetts appears to be taking the extra step. Recently, after formulating new rules for the purchase of tobacco, the Bay State has declared that residents must be at least 21 years of age to purchase any of these products. Today, let’s take a closer look at some of the latest changes to this New England state’s tobacco laws.
Rigorous Control of Tobacco
As of New Year’s Eve 2018, the Massachusetts state government officially put these new laws into effect, and, as of January 2019, these changes have been permanently set. As indicated before, the biggest change to existing laws is the fact that Bay State residents must be at least 21 years old to purchase any products containing tobacco. In addition, lawmakers have also made the following changes:
- Massachusetts pharmacies can no longer sell any tobacco products.
- In locations where smoking is banned, e-cigarettes cannot be used.
- Residents of Massachusetts cannot use tobacco, tobacco-infused products, or e-cigarettes in public locations or on school property (elementary, secondary, and vocational schools).
Ultimately, these changes have been in the slow cooker for quite some time, as the initial proposal was introduced in the middle of 2018. Also, keep in mind that lawmakers cannot raise the age limit to anything above 21, as indicated by preexisting guidelines.
Coinciding with Other Changes
As of now, Massachusetts has become the 6th state to raise the age limit for purchasing tobacco. Likewise, California, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington D.C. have also initiated similar amendments. In an ironic twist, these new changes in Massachusetts have come on the heels of updates to existing marijuana laws.
Seeking Treatment for Nicotine Abuse or Addiction
Always remember that drugs do not have control over your life. You do. Are you suffering from a substance use disorder or a severe form of addiction? Do you have a friend or family member suffering from one or more of these debilitating illnesses? If you do, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our counselors and healthcare experts are ready to walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and rehabilitation and guide you towards living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle. While the road to recovery might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way. Take the first step to stay fit, healthy, and safe.
The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your drug abuse or addiction troubles today.
