The Programs and Services Committee on Wednesday approved a proposed ordinance that would prohibit retail sales of tobacco and nicotine products to anyone born on or after March 1, 2004. The committee vote was 5–2 in favor.

The ordinance is a version of what supporters call a “nicotine‑free generation” approach: rather than raising the minimum purchase age retroactively or imposing flavor bans, the ordinance would make sales unlawful for successive birth cohorts so people born after a date certain never can legally buy tobacco within the city.

Supporters including public‑health professionals, pharmacists and board-of-health members told the committee the measure is designed to reduce youth initiation and long-term addiction. “This regulation leaves alone existing consumers,” said Kate Silva, a professor of law at Boston University who worked on Brookline’s similar ordinance. “What it does is say those youth should never start using it.” Dr. Zachary Rich, an ICU physician who said he has treated patients for tobacco-related disease, urged the committee to act: “I would like to urge you to consider moving forward with this,” he said.

Several public commenters and local civic groups opposed the measure, arguing it infringes the choices of legal adults, would disproportionately harm small retailers and immigrant‑owned shops, and would be ineffective because people could purchase products outside Newton. “As adults, you get to make those choices,” said Steven Snyder, a local resident and former Republican city committee official who described himself as allergic to tobacco smoke; he urged the committee not to “let the city council make those decisions for us.” Another commenter representing a smokers’ rights group said current adult smoking and vaping rates are at historic lows and argued the proposal would amount to an effective prohibition.

Newton’s Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Xinye Lau, told the committee the department supported the amendment and recommended that the effective birth date be set to reflect the current calendar so the intended cohort is correct; she suggested the ordinance be set to affect individuals born on or after Jan. 1, 2005 if the measure is to begin in 2026. Counselors debated the proper effective date before voting; the committee settled on March 1, 2004 for the version it forwarded.

Councilors and witnesses also discussed implementation details, including required signage for retailers, enforcement and the fact that the measure does not restrict medical uses of nicotine or nicotine-replacement therapy. Committee members heard that signs for retailers would be small and that state signage requirements and enforcement processes would continue to apply.

After the committee vote the ordinance will be transmitted to the full City Council for further consideration. If approved by the council, the ordinance would be a local regulation; backers said a critical-mass strategy across municipalities is intended to encourage broader state-level action in the future.

The committee recorded both technical questions about the date and broader philosophical objections in the hearing transcript; the transcript contains detailed public comment from residents, public-health professionals and representatives of business and advocacy groups.