CONCORD, N.H. (WHDH) - The Concord Board of Public Health held a hearing Monday night to discuss a proposal that would restrict the sale of tobacco products to specialty stores for those 21-years-old and up.
None of these specialty stores exist in Concord, meaning the bill would effectively ban the sale of tobacco in town.
The proposal elicited a number of passionate responses from those for and against the plan.
Convenience store owners in town believe this measure will kill their businesses entirely. Many brought legal representation to the hearing.
Rogers Bush said the sale of tobacco products comprises anywhere from a quarter to a third of his sales.
“Our business is at stake,” One man said. “From the point of view that tobacco customers, as well as all customers, represent the viability of our business. Without the adult tobacco customers, the business is no longer viable.”
While proponents of the bill say it works in the interest of protecting children.
“Kids will get their candy, they’ll get their gum, they’ll get their snacks and right there at their eye level, is all these tobacco products that they’re exposed to,” Mary Cole, who supports the bill, said. “It really is an industry tactic.”
State law already restricts the sale of tobacco to those 21-years-old and up.
That age restriction may be implemented nationwide as congress debates a bill that bans the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21.
The measure also repeals three health care taxes designed to help pay for the Affordable Care Act as part of the sweeping year-end spending agreement that will be released on Monday, according to multiple people involved in the talks.
In Concord, Bush said he agrees that more needs to be done to prevent youth smoking. He hopes the city can meet him in the middle.
“I’m concerned. At 69-years-old, I am not ready to retire,” he said. “They can take steps further to take it out of sight, put it under the counter.”
So far, no decision has been made. A vote is likely to be scheduled in the near future.
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