HomeMy WebLinkAboutNEFF EMAIL 03_02_2026a Outlook
Fw: PLEASE NO GENERATIONAL PROHIBITION
From Lewis, Barry < BLewis@yarmouth.ma.us >
Date Mon ?026-03-02 12:23 PM
To Provos, Sara < SProvos@yarmouth.ma.us >
Same email just from a different sender
Barry
From: Lewis, Barry <BLewis@yarmouth.ma.us>
Sent: Monday, March 2, 2026 72:23 PM
To: paul neff <paul. neff54@gmail.com>; Selectboard <Selectboard @yarmouth.ma.us>; Whritenour, Robert
<RWhritenour@yarmouth.ma.us>
subiect: Re: PLEASE NO GENERATTONAL PROHtBtTtON
Mr. Neff thank you for the email. I will forward this to the Board of Health members to review. At this
point the Nicotine Free Generation is only a discussion item on the boards agenda.
Sincerely
Barry L Lewis M BA CHO
From: pa ul neff <paul.neff54@gma il.com>
Sent: Monday, March 2,202611:29 AM
To: Lewis, Barry <BLewis@yarmouth.ma. us>; Selectboard <Selectboard @ya rmouth.ma.us>; Whritenour, Robert
<RWhritenour@yarmouth.ma.us>
subject: PLEASE NO GENERATIONAL PROHIBITION
Attention!: This email originates outside of the organization. Do not open attachments or click
links unless you are sure this email is from a known sender and you know the content is safe. Call
the sender to verify if unsure. Otherwise delete this email.
Yarmouth BOH, Select Board, & Adminlstrator Whitenour:
Activists are traveling throughout the state to promote a Generational Tobacco & Nicotine Prohibition
Though not a Yarmouth resident, I would like to voice opposition.
1) lf the tobacco industry is trying to attract youth, it is not succeeding. The Centers for Disease
Control repofts teenage smoking at a 25-year low. The Food & Drug Administration reports youth
vaping at a 1O-year low & their nicotine pouch use "low." A Generational robacco & Nicotine
Prohibition does not affect youth at all, it paterna listica lly limits the freedom of adults 21 & older.
2) Most stores that sell tobacco & nicotine products are owned by lmmigrants of color. Such a
prohibition may not close their businesses, but it would hurt & devalue them. Brookline merchants
saw overall sales declines, noyjust tobacco
& nicotine, after the town imposed this ban. The ability to successfully run a small business is a
vital public hea lth consideration.
3) Massachusetts residents 21 & over are deemed competent to decide whether or not to buy alcohol
or marijuana--both intoxicants. Massachusetts adults need not be prohibited from making their own
decisions regarding tobacco & nicotine products-- neither of which impairs judgment or compromises
driving ability.
Stephen Helfer (617) 876-2457
Cambridge Citizens for Smokers' Rights
(We receive no funding from any source whatsoever)
Sou rces:
Cigarette smoking reached the lowest level ever recorded by the survey, with only 1.4"/o ol
students reporting current use in 2O24.
CDC Newsroom, Oct. 17, 2024
http-s:/wwwsds. gov /medta/releases/2024/ pt Ot Z-youtn-tof a
Youth E-Cigarette Use Drops to Lowest Level in a Decade: Youth Use of Nicotine Pouches
Remains Low
FDA News Release, Sept. 5, 2024
http_slAaarylyldaS
decade
Elias Audy owns Village Mobil. He has seen a |yo lo 8% reduction in sales of gas, cigarettes, and
other store items & expects to see a continued reduction of sales. "Sunny" lqbal owns a gas
station & a convenience store. Since COVID he saw a 30% drop in overall store revenue and lost
many customers born after 2000,
Brookline News, Oct. 26, 2023
h'llos.//broo kline.news/brooklines-to bacco-f ree-g eneratio n - law-facing - cha llenge- in - mas- h ig hest-
cou rtl
Nicotine does not disturb consciousness, impair judgement or social behavior and, if anything,
it enhances rather than impairs cognitive and psychomotor performance and the capacity to
work.
Professor Michael Russell, British.lournol of Addiction, 1997
hfi pslelyebates,esln/thegen ius-of -michael -russel I -more- riq ht-than-ever/
Paul Neff
Cambridge Citizens for Smokers' Rights
(617) 94s-0484