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<br />Since no one else approached the microphone, Ms. Egloff asked if there was anyone not in support and not in <br />opposition to Tobacco 21. <br /> <br />Stephen Rafferty, a member of the Falmouth Board of Health, introduced himself to the Board. Mr. Rafferty <br />commented that the age limit to purchase tobacco products should be raised to 21. Medical studies have <br />proven that the frontal lobe of the brain is still developing in the 15-17 year age group; therefore, the level of <br />addiction is greater at a young age. <br /> <br />Ms. Egloff offered those that just entered the meeting to approach the microphone to speak in support or <br />against Tobacco 21. <br /> <br />Since there were no further participants, Kalliope Egloff closed the public portion of the meeting. <br /> <br />Glen Harrington commented that the Falmouth Board of Health has asked the Mashpee Board of Health to <br />address this issue because the legal retail sales age to purchase tobacco products was raised to 21. The <br />Falmouth retailers at that time voiced their opinion as far as the loss of business if the consumers were to <br />come to Mashpee to purchase tobacco products. <br /> <br />Mr. Harrington remarked that the medical information provided had been reviewed and suggested that the <br />brain does not fully form until the ages of 21-25. Raising the legal access age to 21 will mostly affect the 15-17 <br />year olds. The Board also reviewed nicotine and electronic cigarettes. The original use for electronic cigarettes <br />was for cessation. Now that the flavored solutions for vaping have been marketed, surveys indicate youths that <br />try electronic cigarettes are at a higher risk to use conventional cigarettes. <br /> <br />An attorney that represents the tobacco retail outlets had submitted a letter in opposition of the regulation. It <br />stated that those less than 21 years of age are obtaining tobacco products from social sources and not from <br />retailers. The Board of Health regulation includes the prohibition for minors to possess and for adults to <br />purchase tobacco and nicotine delivery products for minors. <br /> <br />Lucy Burton thanked everyone that attended the Public Hearing on Tobacco 21. Ms. Burton has learned that <br />children do not have the cognitive ability to handle the decision for smoking. <br /> <br />Brian Baumgaertel discussed statistics that he researched and discovered that there is a higher mortality rate <br />among students. <br /> <br />Kalliope Egloff stated that the Board of Health is interested in a regional approach across the boards on a <br />number of different issues, especially Tobacco 21. The age limit may be considered for the sale of tobacco for <br />the retailer because of peer pressure. <br /> <br />The Board of Health has requested that Glen Harrington prepare a draft of the existing regulation for <br />consideration at the next meeting. <br /> <br />Glen Harrington requested that the Board amend the penalty portion of the existing tobacco regulation for two <br />violations of sales to minors within 48 months to a five-day suspension and not the current seven days. <br /> <br />Lucy Burton made a motion that the Board of Health amend the penalty portion of the current regulation for a <br />second offense within a 48-month period to keep the fine the same but to amend the license suspension <br />language “up to 7 days at the Board’s discretion”, and for the third offense “up to 30 days at the Board’s <br />discretion” leaving the fines the same. Brian Baumgaertel seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously <br />approved. <br /> <br />Kalliope Egloff closed this portion of the Public Hearing meeting and thanked the public for attending and <br />voicing their opinion. <br /> <br /> 2 <br /> <br />