Worcester council postpones vote on restricting tobacco sales

A city councilor has temporarily put the brakes on a proposal to ban the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products by local health care providers, including chain pharmacies and other drugstores, and local colleges.

Councilor-at-Large Michael J. Germain last night exercised his right under the City Council's rules to hold for one week amendments to the city's tobacco control ordinance that have been recommended by City Manager Michael V. O'Brien.

In addition to banning the sale of cigarettes at pharmacies and colleges, the amendments would regulate the advertising of tobacco products within the city by prohibiting them in areas where they could be viewed from public streets, parks, schools and colleges.

Also, the amendments would ban the sale of so-called “blunt wraps,” a cigarette-like rolling paper usually made from tobacco leaves, and include pharmacy chains among local health care facilities required to create a 50-foot no-smoking buffer zone in front of their main entrances.

By exercising his “personal privilege” on the item, Mr. Germain cut off council discussion until its next meeting.

In an interview, Mr. Germain said his father died prematurely at age 47, adding it was probably smoking-related because he was smoking up to three packs of cigarettes a day until the day he died.

Having witnessed firsthand the health risks associated with smoking, Mr. Germain said, one would think he would be very supportive of such a ban, but he does not believe city government has any business legislating where legal tobacco products can and cannot be sold.

He said he also feels the amendments are “overreaching.” While he could support the provision banning blunt wraps, he has trouble with other provisions, especially the one banning the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products in pharmacies.