Legal age to smoke cigarettes in Massachusetts

[tobacco]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Massachusetts

I'm 16 and can get cigarettes easily, aware that I cannot legally purchase them but wondering if I can smoke them with no issue at all? My parents don't want me smoking them on my property (I can understand that) but wondering if I can smoke in public smoking areas like other adults and my workplace legally.

 

[quincy]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Massachusetts

I'm 16 and can get cigarettes easily, aware that I cannot legally purchase them but wondering if I can smoke them with no issue at all? My parents don't want me smoking them on my property (I can understand that) but wondering if I can smoke in public smoking areas like other adults and my workplace legally.

It depends on your city. Some city ordinances have penalties for underage smoking.

 

[stealth2]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Massachusetts

I'm 16 and can get cigarettes easily, aware that I cannot legally purchase them but wondering if I can smoke them with no issue at all? My parents don't want me smoking them on my property (I can understand that) but wondering if I can smoke in public smoking areas like other adults and my workplace legally.

You are not an adult.

 

[Mass_Shyster]

Massachusetts laws regarding smoking are summarized here:

http://www.mass.gov/courts/case-legal-res/law-lib/laws-by-subj/about/smoking.html

General Law Chapter 270 Section 6 prohibits selling or giving tobacco to minors

Section 6. Whoever sells a cigarette, chewing tobacco, snuff or any tobacco in any of its forms to any person under the age of eighteen or, not being his parent or guardian, gives a cigarette, chewing tobacco, snuff or tobacco in any of its forms to any person under the age of eighteen shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars for the first offense, not less than two hundred dollars for a second offense and not less than three hundred dollars for any third or subsequent offense.

So although you may be able to get smokes easily, unless you are getting them from your parents, the person you are getting them from is breaking the law.

I also wouldn't be surprised to find out someone called DCF and reported that your use of tobacco is neglect or abuse by your parents.

There's also a law prohibiting smoking in the workplace, so although people may be smoking at work, it may not be legal.

I recently read that some town passed an ordinance prohibiting the sale of tobacco to people under the age of 21.

BTW, I started smoking 40 years ago, but stopped 30 years ago. I was a pack a day smoker, and they cost about $1/pack when I quit. Since they're now $10/pack, I estimate I've saved over SIXTY THOUSAND DOLLARS over the past 30 years by not smoking.

 

[FlyingRon]

And the answer is, there are some statewide law restrictions on smoking that apply even though adults may smoke. For example, it is illegal on the grounds of a primary or secondary school for a STUDENT of any age to smoke.

 

[quincy]

I think the state law recently changed in Massachusetts, didn't it, Stevef? I thought I read that the legal age for the purchase and sale of tobacco products was raised to age 21. I know that some cities in Massachusetts raised the age already, at any rate.

The cost of a pack of cigarettes in my area is around $6. Still really high. I wish people could think of the cost savings if they quit, this if they are unable to see the health benefits of quitting.

 

[FlyingRon]

I think the state law recently changed in Massachusetts, didn't it, Stevef? I thought I read that the legal age for the purchase and sale of tobacco products was raised to age 21. I know that some cities in Massachusetts raised the age already, at any rate.

The cost of a pack of cigarettes in my area is around $6. Still really high. I wish people could think of the cost savings if they quit, this if they are unable to see the health benefits of quitting.

Not passed state wide. It been brought up in the Senate in 2016 and 2017. It passed the Senate the first time and died. It didn't even make it out of committe the second time. 150 Massachusets localities have however raised the age for sales.. http://tobacco21.org/state/massachusetts/

 

[quincy]

Not passed state wide. It been brought up in the Senate in 2016 and 2017. It passed the Senate the first time and died. It didn't even make it out of committe the second time. 150 Massachusets localities have however raised the age for sales.. http://tobacco21.org/state/massachusetts/

Thanks, FlyingRon.