Seeing how an increase in the minimum purchase age to purchase tobacco has affected the neighboring town of Yarmouth, Mass., the board of health in the Cape Cod town of Dennis has announced plans to explore a similar increase. While the board has not scheduled hearings on the proposal, they have formally announced an interest in increasing the minimum age to purchase tobacco products and electronic cigarettes to 21-years-old, as Dennis Health Director Terry Hayes told CapeCod.com that the board has been watching changes in Yarmouth and other cities. Earlier this summer, the Yarmouth Board of Health increased the minimum purchase age to 21, a change that went into effect July 1. For a similar change to happen in Dennis, the board of health would have to hold public hearings on the matter before passing along a recommendation to the town’s board of aldermen. The final proposal would then have to be approved at the town’s annual meeting in May, according to Hayes. The board’s next meeting is Nov. 13, but the change is not currently on the agenda. Dennis is home to approximately 14,000 residents.
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