No more tobacco at Montague drug stores

MONTAGUE, Mass. (WWLP) - From cigars to electronic cigarettes, in Montague, beginning October 1, all tobacco products will disappear from drug stores and pharmacies.

Gina McNeely, Montague's Director of Public Health, says that researching how manufacturers market tobacco products to young adults led to the Board of Health updating their regulations.

She told 22News that she saw two cigars in pink and purple wrapping, selling for just around $3.

“Even for me as an adult woman, the colors attracted me,” she said. “The pink and the purple. This is strawberry. It smells kind of like strawberry bubble gum.”

Under the new rule, stores like Rite Aid on Avenue A that sell health care products will no longer be able to sell tobacco products.

Grocery stores that do not have pharmacies can continue to sell tobacco products. However, if they do sell cigars, then they will have to sell those in a pack of four.

McNeely told 22News that the idea is to make it more difficult for younger people to obtain cigarettes or cigars, and many residents said, raising the price could help.

Karen Lepley of Montague said that she works as a nurse, and has seen many people suffer from side effects of smoking.

“People eventually have lung problems and can't stop,” Lepley said. “It also puts you at a higher risk for pneumonia. It decreases your oxygen levels, so if they don't start, it's a good thing.”

Not everyone is convinced it will work, though. Carl Tetreault of Montague said that while raising the price could help, some people will continue to find loopholes.

“If it went up on taxes on it more, that would help,” he said. “They won't be able to buy them. They'll have to go somewhere else, but I think myself that people will probably buy them for them.”

The Board of Health is allowing Rite Aid on Avenue A until next July to sell the remainder of their tobacco product inventory.