Boston hikes age for buying cigarettes, tobacco to 21

Boston health officials voted Thursday to raise the minimum age for buying cigarettes and other tobacco products – including electronic cigarettes – from 18 to 21. Mayor Marty Walsh said the city now joins more than 85 other Massachusetts cities and towns – as well as New York City and Hawaii – in hiking the age for purchasing cigarettes. The Boston Board of Health also voted to increase the age for admission to adult-only retail tobacco stores and smoking bars to 21. The changes will also limit the sale of flavored tobacco and nicotine products, other than menthol, to adult-only retailers.