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 The Board of Health, in its ongoing effort to curb teen smoking in
Arlington, suspended nine tobacco-sales permits at a Dec. 12 hearing. In early December, Natasha Thorne, health-compliance officer from the Board of Health, conducted the sales checks. Under her supervision and according to
protocols, a minor attempted to purchase cigarettes at 27
stores. Nine of these vendors sold cigarettes to a minor in violation
of Board of Health regulations, the board says.
The following establishments have had their tobacco sales permits suspended for seven days in accordance with the Town of Arlington rules and regulations restricting smoking and distribution of tobacco products in town, from Dec. 13 through 19:
- A&A Convenience, 1042 Mass. Ave.
- Arlington Shell, 934 Mass. Ave.
- Christo’s Fruit Market, 200 Mass. Ave.
- Dagg’s Deli, 152 Mass. Ave.
- Little Joe’s Convenience, 206 Summer St.
- Mass Conveience, 85 Warren St.
- Symmes Mini-Mart, 681 Mass. Ave.
- Yerevan Eastern Grocery, 892 Mass. Ave.
As a result of a second violation during the past 12 months, the following establishment has had its tobacco sales permit suspended for 14 days, from Dec. 13 through 26:
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Mystic Street Gulf, 140 Mystic St.
Board of Health member and local pediatrician Dr. Carole Allen said, “We know that over 90 percent of adult smokers began smoking while they were teenagers. If we are able to prevent Arlington youth from accessing tobacco products now, we will be able to prevent lifelong tobacco addiction.”
The Board of Health conducts tobacco-sales compliance checks twice per year.
Before major budget cuts to the Massachusetts Tobacco Control Program in 2001, Arlington received money for a fully funded tobacco-control program, which had conducted tobacco sales compliance checks more than four times per year.
Arlington Board of Health Chairman, Dr. Michael Fitzpatrick said, “It has been six years since the state eliminated local tobacco control programs and we now have a situation in Arlington where one third of our stores are selling tobacco products to minors during a random check.”
State law requires that all tobacco retailers check ID for all persons who appear to be under the age of 27, sales cannot be made to anyone under the age of 18.
“With significant penalties and a mandatory retailer training program in place as part of the annual tobacco sales permit process, the Arlington Board of Health is steadfast in addressing the special concern of easy access to cigarettes by minors,” Dr. Fitzpatrick said. “Keeping tobacco out of the hands of our children is the best prevention we as a community can offer.”
For more information, contact the Board of Health Office at 781-316-3170.
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