The movement to raise the age to purchase tobacco products in Massachusetts garnered another city yesterday, as the Lowell Board of Health unanimously approved a proposal to raise the minimum purchase age to 21-years-old. Additionally, the board took a drastic step to get flavored tobacco products out of the majority of retail stores, limiting their sale to stores that derive at least 90% of their sales from tobacco products. Both changes go into effect on Oct. 1, according to a report from the Lowell Sun. The move brings the total number of cities and towns in the state to nearly 120, and comes as the state House of Representatives’ Rules Committee endorsed a statewide increase in the minimum purchasing age on Wednesday. The state Senate has already approved the bill, while the House has until July 31 to do the same. Lowell is home to 108,861 residents as of a 2013 population estimate, making it the fourth most populous city in the state. It is located in northeastern Massachusetts, 30 miles northwest of Boston.
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