Massachusetts Weighs Permanent Tobacco Ban for Future Generations

Liquor store owners across Massachusetts should be aware of a new statewide proposal under legislative review that would permanently prohibit the sale of tobacco and nicotine products to anyone born on or after January 1, 2006.

If passed, this would be the first generational tobacco ban implemented at the state level in the U.S. and would apply to all tobacco retailers, including licensed package stores.

While this proposed legislation affects all tobacco retailers in Massachusetts, this update is focused on liquor store owners because of how closely tobacco sales are tied to their operating model.

This legislation was discussed during a public hearing held by the Joint Committee on Public Health on July 15, 2025.

Official hearing details:
https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Detail/5288

What the Bill Would Do

The proposed law would prevent anyone born in 2006 or later from ever being eligible to purchase tobacco products in Massachusetts, even after reaching age 21. The ban would cover all tobacco and nicotine products, including cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, and e-cigarettes.

This is not an age-based restriction that changes year to year. It is a birth-year-based ban that would gradually but permanently reduce the number of customers legally allowed to purchase tobacco in your store.

Why This Matters to Liquor Store Owners

For many package stores, tobacco sales are a significant contributor to overall revenue and foot traffic. In-store purchasing behavior is often tied to multi-category purchases, including alcohol, tobacco, and lottery.

If this law is passed, every liquor store that currently sells tobacco would see a permanent and shrinking customer base in that category. The long-term effect is straightforward: fewer eligible customers, fewer tobacco sales, and potentially less incidental in-store revenue.

This Isn’t Just a Proposal Anymore, It’s Already Moving at the Local Level

Brookline was the first municipality in the country to adopt a generational tobacco sales ban. Since then, according to Commonwealth Beacon, 16 other Massachusetts cities and towns have passed similar measures:

Belchertown, Chelsea, Concord, Conway, Hopkinton, Malden, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Melrose, Needham, Newton, Pelham, Reading, Somerville, Stoneham, Wakefield, and Winchester

Source:
https://commonwealthbeacon.org/government/state-government/mass-lawmakers-weigh-a-statewide-age-based-nicotine-ban

If this bill becomes law, it will apply to all stores statewide, urban, suburban, and rural alike, regardless of your current tobacco licensing or sales volume.

A Pattern Liquor Retailers Have Seen Before

This is not the first time the state has made a move that shifts revenue away from traditional brick-and-mortar retail. When Massachusetts launched its online lottery app, store owners across the state saw reduced foot traffic and fewer in-store lottery purchases. This bill represents another example of consumer activity potentially being legislated away from licensed local businesses.

Contact Your State Legislators

If you’re a liquor store owner and you believe this bill would affect your business, now is the time to take action. The proposal is still in committee, and no vote has been scheduled yet.

Use this tool to find and contact your representative:
https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

Or call the State House switchboard and ask to be connected: (617) 722-2000

Here are a few direct lines to legislators who represent districts with large concentrations of retail alcohol licensees:

Rep. Russell E. Holmes (6th Suffolk) – (617) 722-2220

Rep. Aaron M. Michlewitz (3rd Suffolk) – (617) 722-2990

Rep. Samantha Montaño (15th Suffolk) – (617) 722-2460

Sen. Sal DiDomenico (Middlesex & Suffolk) – (617) 722-1650

Sen. William Brownsberger (Middlesex & Suffolk) – (617) 722-1280

If you’re unsure who represents your area, the legislative search tool above can locate that quickly based on your store’s address.

Bottom Line for Liquor Retailers

This bill has direct and permanent implications for any liquor store that depends on tobacco revenue or in-store traffic. You don’t have to take a public position, but you should know where things stand and decide whether to engage before the opportunity to weigh in passes.

If you’re part of the Massachusetts retail liquor industry, you’ve already seen what happens when the rules shift without input from operators on the ground.