Middleborough Board of Health adopts regulation banning sale of flavored tobacco products and flavored wraps; takes effect Jan. 28

Health Agent Kayla Smith presented draft amendments to town regulations to prohibit the sale of flavored tobacco products, including flavored blunt wraps and flavored rolling papers. Smith said state law prohibits sale of certain flavored tobacco but leaves gaps; the town regulation clarifies the definition of "flavored wrap" and explicitly bans flavored wraps, rolling papers and other flavored tobacco forms to strengthen enforcement.

Select Board members asked about the town’s authority and Smith said the regulation is adopted under state statutory authority referenced in the draft. Board members discussed the public-health rationale — that flavored products attract younger users — and supported immediate adoption. The board voted unanimously to adopt the changes and to make the regulation effective the next day, Jan. 28, 2025.

Smith said the draft adds a definition of a flavored wrap as any manufactured or packaged wrap or hollow tube (from tobacco paper, hemp, natural ingredients or other material) intended to be filled by a consumer, and that the prohibited products list now explicitly includes vapes, flavored cigarettes and flavored cigars among other forms.

Select Board members asked staff to notify retailers and coordinate enforcement steps once the regulation is published.