Board of Health Backs Off of Some Proposed Regulations

WINTHROP – For a time it looked like Winthrop would have new tobacco regulations banning anyone under the age of 21 from purchasing tobacco products and banning smoking on town beaches and in town parks.

“After careful deliberation it was determined that restricting the rights of consenting adults who are 18 and over…was not appropriate,” said Board of Health Chairman Nick LoConte.

He added that another consideration was that neighboring communities of Boston and Revere also sell to those 18 and over. LoConte said those under 21 who wanted tobacco products would just “go over the bridge” and purchase them.

The board had also initially proposed no smoking on town beaches and in town parks. But it opted to back off the beaches and parks, and focus on playgrounds and athletic fields.

“This was a challenging call,” LoConte said. “In the end it was determined that playgrounds and athletic fields rose to the level that warranted an outright ban but parks and beaches do not at this time.”

LoConte explained that the Board of Health will work to promote an informational campaign designed to discourage smoking on a voluntary basis at town beaches and parks.

Once the Board of Health signs the final regulation on March 31 the regulations will be effective June 1. The smoking regulations will cover the following: prohibits those under 18 from buying electronic cigarettes; requires smoking cessation signage at stores that sell tobacco products; requires minimum prices on cigars that mirror Boston prices; cap the number of Winthrop tobacco permits to 20; ban self-serve displays and “roll your own” machines; no cigarette vending machines; no sale of tobacco products at educational sites; ban smoking and tobacco product usage on town playgrounds and town athletic fields; ban smoking at hotels, motels and bed & breakfast establishments; ban smoking in restaurants where food is served by wait staff; prohibit renewal of tobacco permits if outstanding fines against the business; ban coupons for free tobacco and ban smoking from indoors at retail tobacco stores.

Sue Woodcock can be reached at suewoodcock@revere journal.com.