Boston public-health officials move to bar sale of new nicotine delivery systems to kids

The Boston Public Health Commission today approved draft regulations to ban the sale of "e-cgarettes" to minors, prohibit the sales of single cigars and double the fines for violating the city's tobacco-control rules.

The proposed e-cigarette regulations would cover devices that "are made of plastic and metal and heat a liquid nicotine solution in a disposable cartridge to create vapor that the smoker inhales," the board said in a statement.

There are no current laws that bar their sale to minors and already several convenience stores sell them, with more interested in pushing them, the board says. Under the proposed regulations, anybody who wants to sell e-cigarettes would require a city permit and would require the gizmos to be stored behind a counter, like cigarettes, and not sold to anyone under 18.

The proposed regulations would also "prohibit the sale of low-cost, single-sale cigars that have become an attractive option for price-conscious youth looking for less expensive alternatives to cigarettes."

Fines for retailers who violate the regulations would double - first-offense fines of $100 would go to $200 and then rise to $800 for the fourth offense over a 24-month period.

Before the regulations go into effect, the board will hold a public hearing on Oct. 4. The hearing starts at 6 p.m. at the commission's 1010 Mass. Ave. offices

cheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, in the 2nd floor Hayes Conference Room at the Boston Public Health Commission, 1010 Massachusetts, in Boston. Written comments are being accepted by the Board of Health from Sunday, Sept. 11, through Oct. 10. They can be sent to the Boston Public Health Commission, Board Office, Attention: Jamie Martin, Board Secretary, 1010 Ma

The board will first hold a public hearing

6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, in the 2nd floor Hayes Conference Room at the Boston Public Health Commission, 1010 Massachusetts