Following a public hearing Wednesday night, the Board of Health unanimously approved new regulations prohibiting the sale of tobacco to individuals born after a certain date.

The Board of Health held the public hearing to gather feedback from the community on its proposed Nicotine-Free Generation (NFG) initiative. One of Health Director Shaun McAuliffe’s priorities for fiscal year 2025, the NFG regulations prohibit the sale of tobacco and nicotine products to any individual born after Jan. 1, 2005.

Nicotine use among youth is falling in Hopkinton. Studies from the MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey show overall youth tobacco use has dropped to below 10%, with cigarette smoking close to zero. Electronic vapor use has fallen to around 7%.

This policy will seek to reduce those numbers even further, and create a generation of Hopkinton youth free from the consequences of nicotine and tobacco use.

Ross Merkin, an oncologist at Massachusetts General Hospital who testified at the public hearing, claimed that “preventing young people from ever becoming addicted to nicotine is the most effective way to reduce the enormous toll tobacco continues to take.”

Merkin was one of 11 speakers who spoke in support of the NFG regulation. No one in attendance offered opposition to the policy.

At a Board of Health meeting in April, opponents voiced their concerns about the regulations. Mental health advocates argued for what they claimed was tobacco’s utility in the substance abuse and mental health recovery process. 

Peter Brennan, executive director of the New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association, argued in that meeting that NFG policies do nothing to curb youth smoking and only target adults. Furthermore, he claimed the regulations would hurt tobacco retailers and cause “devastating financial impacts.”

Advocates from Hopkinton and statewide organizations spoke in support of the town adopting the NFG policy at Wednesday’s public hearing.

Erin Bartollini, the drug-free communities prevention coordinator for Hopkinton Organizing for Prevention (HOP), read a letter from her organization in favor of the regulation. She noted the letter was signed by town officials, including Hopkinton Police Chief Joseph Bennett, Hopkinton Public Schools Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh, HOP chair Gail Levine and others.

“This policy resonates deeply with our mission of promoting health and enhancing quality of life for Hopkinton residents,” Bartollini said, reading from the letter. “Together, we can take meaningful action to prevent addiction, promote wellness and ensure every young person in Hopkinton has the opportunity to thrive.”

Maureen Buzby, who met with the Board of Health back in April, reiterated statements she made regarding the nature of marketing tobacco products toward younger users to “hook them while they’re young.” 

In attendance were two individuals involved with Brookline’s NFG bylaw: Anthony Ishak and Mark Gottlieb. Ishak was a co-petitioner for Brookline’s bylaw — the first of its kind in the country — which was adopted in 2020. 

Gottlieb, who runs the Public Health Advocacy Institute at Northeastern University’s law school, defended Brookline at the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court when the bylaw was challenged by retailers.

During his comments to the board, Ishak spoke to the need for the regulation, claiming that Hopkinton sees a lung cancer incidence “about 24% higher than the state average for a relatively wealthy and healthy community” despite lower than average usage rates.

Hopkinton High School seniors Neha Ninan (right) and Anna Noroian provide testimony on the Health Department’s proposed nicotine-free generation regulations Wednesday night. PHOTO/NICK SCHOFIELD

Testimony that appeared to resonate with attendees and the board came from Hopkinton High School senior Neha Ninan. She addressed the board while fellow HHS senior Anna Noroian stood beside her holding a sign that read: “Support NFG = Support Our Youth.”

“We cannot let tobacco industries dictate the health of our future leaders, athletes, artists and dreamers,” Ninan said. She relayed an anecdote of gathering 50 signatures from high school students to demonstrate youth support for the NFG policy.

“If we really care about our youth, their health and their potential, then we must take action,” she added.

After the public hearing was closed, the Board of Health voted unanimously to approve the NFG regulations. Following a brief discussion, the board also voted to have the policy take effect July 1, which McAuliffe noted would coincide with the start of the tobacco permitting year.