Boston bans cigarette sales in drug stores..

December 13, 2008 - Boston Public Health Commission, bans cigarette sales at drugstores (pharmacies) and on college campuses in the city and eliminates smoking on the patios of restaurants and bars with outside service. The restrictions, which would give Boston among the toughest anti-smoking laws in the nation, will go into effect in 60 days. Cigar bars and other swank salons devoted to smoking won a significant though temporary reprieve from Boston health regulators today, December 11, 2008 when it was decided that the establishments will face extinction in 10 years instead of the five-year grace period originally proposed as part of sweeping new tobacco control rules.

At the end of the 10-year period, smoking bars may ask the executive director of the health commission for a further grace period, the commission decided. The city now has six cigar bars and five hookah lounges - no new ones will be permitted to open.

"Cigarettes are bad, they're harmful to people, there's a need for us to change the social norms around cigarettes," said commission member Harold Cox, an associate dean at the Boston University School of Public Health. "Our responsibility as governmental officials is to protect people."

Summary of Regulations including Blunt wraps will not be sold in Boston.., Boston Public Health Commission, 12/11/2008.

Reference: Boston bans cigarette sales in drug stores but delays cigar bar closings by Gideon Gil, Boston.com, 12/11/2008.

Related news brief: Boston To Ban Drugstore Tobacco Sales..

Earlier this year, San Francisco became the first U.S. city to ban tobacco sales at drug stories, saying selling cigarettes was out of place in stores devoted to health care products. Audit trail of events: Federal Judge Denies Bid To Stop San Francisco Pharmacy Tobacco Ban..; Philip Morris USA request stop in San Francisco's ban on tobacco sales by pharmacies..; San Francisco - cigarette sales rise sharply in c-stores..; San Francisco files brief to oppose bid by PM USA to block the banning of tobacco sales in pharmacies..; Philip Morris challenges San Francisco pharmacy tobacco ban..; Walgreen: San Francisco’s Tobacco Ban Is Unfair..; San Francisco - All Tobacco Products Banned in All Pharmacies..; San Francisco critical vote - bar tobacco sales pharmacies.. and SAN FRANCISCO Ban on tobacco at drug stores sought...