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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday banning flavored tobacco products and taxing vaping products.
The bill, which includes a ban on menthol cigarettes, passed 126-21.
State Rep. Danielle Gregoire detailed what the legislation does.
"Our legislation bans the sale of all flavored tobacco in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including e-cigarettes and mint menthol," she said. "It includes an excise tax on wholesale e-cigarettes, allows for easier prescriptions of cessation devices, and we're really just excited about protecting an entire generation of our youth today."
Rep. Gregoire said she doesn't think the bill will hurt convenience stores.
"As a matter of fact, year over year in Massachusetts as people continue to quit traditional tobacco, the revenue from tobacco has gone down, but convenience store profits have continued to increase."
Gregoire said Massachusetts could start a trend with other states across the country.
"This is a first-in-the-nation action, and we're really hoping to lead the way, and hoping that some of those states that come back into session in January will follow our lead," she said.
The bill now heads to the Massachusetts Senate.
WBZ NewsRadio's Kevin Coleman (@KevinColemanWBZ) reports
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