Saugus seeks reduced tobacco sales

SAUGUS – Several updates to Saugus? tobacco regulations have retail groups sending letters of opposition to the Board Health as it looks to restrict tobacco sales for some stores.The new regulation, which is expected to be discussed tonight, bans tobacco sales in Saugus? six pharmacies, restricts cigar sales unless the cigar is in a pack of four or priced more than $2.50 and bans the use of electronic cigarettes in public places, among other provisions, according to Public Health Director Frank Giacalone.Read the amendment.In a letter to Giacalone, Brian Houghton, Vice President of the Massachusetts Food Association, said the proposal to ban tobacco sales in pharmacies “unfairly targets a small percentage of outlets” and “forces customers to take their business elsewhere.”Houghton, whose group represents Stop & Shop in Saugus, reiterated this in a phone interview Thursday.?You?re not addressing the issue of smoking cessation or sales to minors, you?re just simply transferring the sale of a legal product to another establishment,” said Houghton. “It not only takes those sales away, but any foot traffic that folks may have if they were going into those establishments to buy their tobacco products.”Giacalone defended the regulation, saying that since pharmacies are health-service providers, they shouldn?t be selling cigarettes.?The board is pretty passionate about tobacco and nicotine products being sold out there and getting them out of the pharmacies makes them provide more of a service to prevent cigarette smoking, which leads to a slew of health effects,” said Giacalone.He noted similar regulations are already in effect in Boston, Worcester and Lowell.The New England Service Station and Auto Repair Association has also came out in opposition to the regulation, more specifically the new cigar provision.Matthew LeLacheur, Executive Director of NESSARA, wrote in a letter to the Board of Health that the proposal “would adversely impact our adult customers who legally purchase tobacco products.”Read a letter from the Massachusetts Food Association opposing the amendment.Read a letter from the New England Service Station and Automotive Repair Association opposing the amendment.?There is an adult market for this legal product,” said LeLacheur in the letter. “The proposed regulation would not only have a negative economic impact on our members who responsibly sell tobacco, but would force adult consumers to purchase more tobacco than they choose to consume.”Board of Health member Pamela Harris said the goal of the new regulation is to protect the health of both smokers and the public. However, Harris noted she is “sympathetic” to some of the opposition.?I know these are extremely challenging economic times,” said Harris. “But I also have to really focus on public health. That will certainly have a big impact on my decision. We have been part of the forefront and it?s our stance to continue to be in the part of the forefront.”Giacalone said the board has been getting even more feedback about the current proposal than it did when it changed its trash regulations last summer, and is expecting a big turnout for tonight?s public hearing, where the board will vote on the regulation.Tonight?s meeting starts at 6:15 p.m. at the Saugus Library.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].