A Snapshot of Tobacco Free Mass’ Policy Achievements
2023: Raised funding for the Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program by just over $90,000 for FY 2024, while advocating for youth tobacco use prevention & cessation programs and defending the menthol cigarette and flavored tobacco bans. 2021: Boosted funding for the Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program by an additional half million dollars, resulting in an increase to the tobacco control line of 51% since 2018. 2020: Increased funding for the Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program by an additional $2 million in the FY 2020 supplemental budget to enable the program to fund local boards of health education/enforcement, run a cessation campaign, and expand youth prevention and cessation efforts. 2019: Passed youth tobacco prevention legislation that bans the sale of ALL flavored tobacco products in Massachusetts, including flavored vapes and menthol cigarettes. The legislation also creates a tax on vape products, requires insurers to fully cover tobacco cessation, and increases fines for selling tobacco to minors. 2019: Increased funding for the Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program by $400,000 for FY 2020. 2018: Passed youth tobacco prevention legislation that bans the sale of tobacco in pharmacies, regulates e-cigarettes, and raises the age of sale for tobacco from 18 to 21. 2018: Increased funding for the Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program by half a million dollars for FY 2019. 2016: Worked to support legislation that would ban the sale of tobacco in pharmacies, regulate e-cigarettes, and raise the age of sale for tobacco from 18 to 21. 2015: Worked to support passage of Tobacco 21 legislation and regulations to ban e- cigarettes to minors. 2014: Provided technical assistance to seven Massachusetts college campuses to go Smoke-free. 2013: Increased excise tax on cigarettes to $3.51, raised the tax on cigars from 30% to 40%, and raised the tax on OTP from 90% to 210% of wholesale. 2012: MassHealth smoking cessation benefit extended to state subsidized Commonwealth Care Health Insurance Program. 2011: Massachusetts casino law assured all gaming facilities will be 100% smoke-free. 2008: $1.00/pack cigarette tax increase, again working in partnership with health care access advocates dedicating revenue for Health Reform. 2008: MassHealth smoking cessation benefit made permanent in Governor’s FY 2009 budget proposal 2006: Pilot program signed into law that allows MassHealth subscribers access to free or low-cost pharmacotherapy, nicotine replacement products, and counseling 2005: MassHealth coverage of smoking cessation for pregnant women and mothers with children under age three 2004: Enactment of a law making Massachusetts workplaces 100% smoke-free 2003: Assisted multiple cities and towns to pass and sustain smoke-free workplace regulations, including the cities of Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville 2002: $.75 cigarette tax increase, working in partnership with health care access advocates funding health insurance for children and a senior pharmacy benefit 1999: A law committing all of Massachusetts tobacco settlement revenues to public health and tobacco control programs, with over $22.8 million from tobacco settlement revenues going to tobacco control programs in Fiscal Year 2000 1998: The defeat of a Massachusetts Restaurant Association-backed bill that would have set a low threshold for restaurant smoking regulations and prevented local authorities from passing tougher regulations 1997: A law making Massachusetts the first state in the nation to divest all state pension fund holdings in tobacco stocks 1997: A law requiring the Massachusetts State House to be completely smoke-free 1996: The Tolman Disclosure Law, which requires cigarette companies to report their products ingredients and true nicotine yield ratings to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health 1992: Passage of the Question One ballot initiative that placed a $.25 per pack tax on cigarettes and dedicated a portion of the revenue to the creation of the Massachusetts Tobacco Control Program |
