Newton aldermen snuff out tobacco in pharmacies

Newton — The Board of Aldermen approved a ban forbidding pharmacies from selling tobacco products in the city by a wide margin Monday night. The measure passed without discussion.
In an 18-3 vote, members approved the ban, which supporters said was intended to prevent those in the public health business from selling cigarettes and other tobacco items.
Aldermen Bill Brandel, Amy Sangiolo and Jay Harney cast the only nay votes against the ban.
Supporters of the proposal said at a previous meeting that pharmacies should not sell cigarettes because they also sell medicine — including medication for people trying to quit smoking.
Having to walk by cigarettes while being treated for cigarette addiction was sending patients mixed messages, they said.Opponents said the measure would deprive pharmacies from a source of revenue.
Of the 60 licensed cigarette vendors in Newton, 10 are pharmacies. According to city statistics, two of those pharmacies were caught selling cigarettes to minors during the city’s enforcement sweep in June, while 16 other vendors were also caught.
Newton’s ban is similar to that in neighboring Needham, along with ones in Boston and San Francisco.