Standing Firm: CRA’s Commitment to Stopping Massachusetts’ Generational Tobacco Ban

The push to protect premium cigars and small businesses has reached a critical stage in Massachusetts as plans have been unveiled to introduce a statewide “Nicotine Free Generation” (NFG) bill in January 2025. If passed, this law would prohibit the sale of tobacco products—including premium cigars—to individuals born after the law’s enactment, effectively creating a permanent generational ban.

This statewide proposal builds on momentum from nine Massachusetts municipalities, including Brookline, which pioneered the concept.

Why This Proposal Matters

The proposed NFG policy is being framed as a public health measure but unnecessarily includes premium cigars, a product fundamentally different from mass-market tobacco. Premium cigars are artisanal, handcrafted items enjoyed occasionally by adults, often for special occasions. They are not marketed to youth and have minimal public health impact, making their inclusion in this sweeping ban both misguided and harmful.

Small, family-owned cigar shops and lounges, which rely on adult consumers, stand to suffer significantly. These businesses generate vital tax revenue and contribute to local economies. A statewide ban would jeopardize these enterprises, lead to job losses, and push customers to states with less restrictive policies, disadvantaging Massachusetts retailers and significantly reducing the state’s tax revenue.

The implications of this policy extend beyond Massachusetts. If the NFG proposal is adopted, it could serve as a model for other states, creating a domino effect of restrictive regulations nationwide. Such a trend would set a dangerous precedent, undermining adult consumer choice and harming small businesses across the country.

CRA’s Commitment to Protecting Premium Cigars

CRA has made fighting generational tobacco bans one of its top state policy priority policies, recognizing the significant threat these NFG’s pose to premium cigars and the small businesses that depend on them. Throughout the year, CRA has actively opposed municipal-level generational bans and worked tirelessly to prevent this harmful trend from gaining traction. With the policy now escalating to the state level, CRA remains committed to forcefully fighting against the expansion of NFG’s

As Massachusetts stands at a critical juncture, CRA will continue to lead the fight against NFG policies. Protecting premium cigars means preserving small businesses, safeguarding jobs, and defending the rights of adults to make their own choices. This fight is not just about a product—it’s about maintaining fairness and freedom.

To read more about what is going on in Massachusetts, click here to read an article by Cigar Aficionado.