Alain Chaoui, MD, President of the Massachusetts Medical
Society, released the following statement following House passage of H. 4479:
“The Massachusetts Medical Society commends the
Massachusetts House of Representatives for passing a bill to raise the legal
age for purchasing tobacco and e-cigarettes to 21 years.
“Research has consistently showed
that those who start smoking earlier in life are more likely to continue smoking
– and that those who do not start in adolescence are less likely to begin. By raising the legal purchasing age to 21;
prohibiting the use of e-cigarettes and similar products in smoke-free
workplaces; and stopping pharmacies from selling tobacco, e-cigarettes and
other similar products; this bill would make it harder for youth in the
Commonwealth to begin smoking, thus protecting their health throughout their
lives.
“Unfortunately, despite the significant and well-known
dangers associated with tobacco use, we still have work to do. According to one
recent survey, in 2015, 7.7% of high
school students in Massachusetts had smoked cigarettes in the previous month.
These students were all at increased risk of long-term use, and of the health
risks that would follow.
“As a family physician, I have counseled patients through
the long, difficult process of smoking cessation. Quite simply, it’s not easy.
That’s why I support a common-sense approach to make it so that fewer patients
have to tackle the challenge of quitting in order to live longer, healthier
lives.
“On behalf of the
25,000 physician and medical student members of the Massachusetts Medical
Society, I urge the Massachusetts Senate to pass this important legislation
quickly, and ask Governor Charlie Baker to sign the bill into law.”
The Massachusetts Medical Society is a proud member of
Tobacco Free Mass. To learn more about Tobacco Free Mass’s efforts to curtail
smoking in the Commonwealth, visit their
website today.
