Canton raises legal age for nicotine purchases to 21

CANTON, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- Anyone looking to light up a cigarette in the town of Canton, Mass. must be 21 or older after the town approved a measure to raise the legal age for smokers.

According to the Patriot Ledger, the measure, which was approved by the town's Board of Health, will increase the legal age from 18 to 21 beginning in January 2014.

Town officials justified their decision by citing a study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control that claims underage smokers receive smoking materials from people between the ages of 18 and 21. Health officials plan to track the effect the increased age limit has on underage smoking by surveying students in the town's public schools. The change could be repealed if it is proven ineffective over a period of five years.

Canton also weighed a ban on electronic cigarettes, which was ultimately voted down. Those opposing the ban claimed electronic cigarettes are used by smokers looking to quit.

To read more: patriotledger.com

Cox Media Group