Advocates for tobacco control, public‑health organizations and many municipalities testified in favor of stricter controls on flavored products, online sales and new restrictions aimed at preventing youth initiation. Lisa Phillips of Tobacco Free Mass told the committee that reversing the state's menthol and flavor restrictions would "set us back years, even decades" in preventing youth addiction and reducing racial disparities. The American Cancer Society's Massachusetts director said state evidence shows the 2020 statewide flavor restriction reduced menthol cigarette sales and helped lower adult smoking rates.Decision makers also heard widespread support for ending internet sales of tobacco and nicotine products because age verification online is often ineffective. "Online sales are not being regulated. This secrecy makes it easier for teens to start and hide use," said youth witness Tracey Chekulam, who testified about easy online access and a personal purchase test.Primary opponents at the hearing included convenience‑store associations, wholesale distributors and national retailers. They argued that a so‑called nicotine‑free generation policy (which phases up a no‑sale birth‑cohort) and adult‑only facility requirements would be discriminatory, push customers to buy in neighboring states or online, and expose store clerks to enforcement conflicts. Several retailers said youth use is declining and that prohibition‑style measures would create enforcement and public‑safety problems at retail counters; RAM (Retailers Association of Massachusetts) urged the committee to reject H 2562 / S 1568 on separation and discrimination grounds.Public‑health advocates countered that industry marketing is increasingly aimed at younger users and that the state has a history of local innovation — citing Brookline and multiple municipalities that adopted cohort‑based policies. Witnesses representing physicians and public‑health groups urged moving to close online loopholes and to preserve the statewide flavor ban rather than repeal it.