Worcester residents get an opportunity Monday to weigh in on a series of proposed changes to the city’s tobacco regulations before the Board of Health considers adopting the updated rules.
The Worcester Board of Health is holding a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. on June 15 at the Worcester Division of Public Health, 25 Meade St. Residents may attend in person or participate virtually. Written comments are also being accepted through the start of the hearing.
The proposed changes would update several aspects of the city’s tobacco regulations, including retailer requirements, sales restrictions and enforcement provisions.
Among the proposed revisions, flavored tobacco products would be limited to sale and use in smoking bars. The regulations would also require tobacco retailers to electronically acknowledge that they understand the city’s rules and are responsible for training employees, with documentation available upon request.
The proposal would also modify existing location restrictions. According to the public notice, retailers that held a tobacco sales permit within the previous three years could be exempt from the city’s 500-foot retail-to-retail buffer requirement. Additional changes would allow tobacco retailers to operate within 500 feet of a smoking bar and permit smoking bars to operate within 500 feet of one another.
The proposed regulations would also establish standardized suspension periods and fines for violations and require retailers to comply with local and state signage requirements.
Residents who wish to comment can submit written remarks to the Worcester Division of Public Health or speak during the public hearing. The Board of Health may revise the proposal before taking action, according to the public notice.
The complete text of the proposed regulations is available through the Worcester Division of Public Health and on the city’s website.
Anyone who wishes to submit data, views, or comments concerning the proposed regulation may do so in writing to Attn: Director, Worcester Division of Public Health, 25 Meade St., Worcester, MA 01610 or email health@worcesterma.gov. Written comments should
include the sender’s name, mailing address, and organization or affiliation, if any. Written comments will be accepted until 6:30 p.m. on June 12. Also, join the meeting virtually by logging on or calling in to 844-621-3956 (access code: 575 614 100#)
