Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Boston Bans Drugstore Cigarette Sales

Also outlawed at college campus convenience shops

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 5, 2008 6:26 AM CDT

(Newser) – Boston's health honchos have approved some of the country's toughest anti-tobacco rules by banning sales at some stores, the Boston Globe reports. The new rules forbid pharmacies and campus convenience stores from selling cigarettes. They also ban smoking on bar and restaurant patios. The city's cigar parlors, previously exempt, will also have to stub out after a 5-year grace period expires.

Officials say the rules will boost the health of Bostonians and that selling tobacco is incompatible with the mission of a drugstore. Drugstore chains and tobacco companies are strongly opposed to the ban, and even some tobacco-control experts believe the law may be over-reaching, saying that banning sales at certain outlets will be unlikely to dissuade determined smokers.

Cigarette packages on a store counter.
Cigarette packages on a store counter.   (AP Photo/George Widman, file)
Pharmacies and convenience stores on college campuses will no longer be allowed to sell cigarettes under Boston's new regulations.
Pharmacies and convenience stores on college campuses will no longer be allowed to sell cigarettes under Boston's new regulations.   (Getty Images)
Boston pharmacies will be banned from selling cigarettes under tough new regulations.
Boston pharmacies will be banned from selling cigarettes under tough new regulations.   (AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki, file)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Why, in a place where people go to get healthy and get information about staying healthy, would you want to sell something that has absolutely no redeeming value and ends up killing a lot of people? - Health commission director Barbara Ferrer

Just to extend this, should the public health mission also ban the sale of candy bars in pharmacies? If we're going to get rid of cigarettes, why don't we also get rid of soda? We know soda causes obesity. - Boston University tobacco control specialist Dr. Michael Siegel

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Philip Morris Threatens Suit on Cigarette Packaging

Philip Morris CEO: Smoking Not Hard to Quit

Why All Movies With Smoking Should Be Rated R

Tobacco Bill's Winners: Philip Morris, Lawyers

Senate Poised to Pass Tough New Tobacco Law


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne