At their June 9 meeting, the Malden Board of Health has voted to amend the city’s health rules and regulations and has increased the minimum age to purchase tobacco products within city limits from 18 to 21 years of age. The move came after Mayor Gary Christenson testified before the Board of Health in support of raising the minimum age. He had held meetings with area teens regarding smoking and what can be done to prevent people from smoking, saying in a statement that he was surprised to learn how easily accessible all types of cigarettes are to minors. The full text of the new regulations can be read here. The change adds Malden to the list of 15 other towns in the state who have raised the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21, with another six having increased it to 19 years of age. Malden is part of Middlesex County and home to approximately 60,000 residents, located about six miles north of Boston.
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