Tobacco Control

Tobacco Control & Prevention Program

The Brookline Department of Public Health collaborates with health departments in Arlington, Belmont, Norwood, Randolph, Stoughton, and Watertown on a tobacco control and prevention program. Funding for this program comes from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health which will help these communities establish and maintain comprehensive tobacco control programs designed to protect youth from exposure to tobacco and vaping industry tactics and prevent youth initiation, protect residents from secondhand smoke, ensure all Massachusetts resident users of tobacco/nicotine have access to cessation resources, and identify tobacco-related disparities. This funding supports the following initiatives:

  • Enforce Local and State Tobacco Policies
    • Retail Inspections:
      • Conduct annual retail inspections at all establishments that sell tobacco and/or other tobacco products (OTP)
      • Conduct education and enforcement activities after any violations of state or local laws
    • Compliance Checks:
      • Conduct annual compliance checks with youth at all establishments that sell tobacco and/or other tobacco products (OTP)
  • Policy Promotion
    • Use of surveillance data to support the promotion of evidence-based tobacco regulations
    • Provide retailers with routine education on local and state tobacco policies to aide them in compliance
    • Promote and support the development of regulations that reduce exposure to secondhand smoke and vapor

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