Massachusetts town weighs nation's 1st tobacco ban

Massachusetts town weighs nation's 1st tobacco ban

It would ban all sales of tobacco products within town lines, thus providing a tremendous boost to convenience stores just outside that boundary.

(And, of course, crippling several businesses in town.)

"Swedberg, the town health agent, said the Board of Health hopes that if it enacts the regulation, loyal customers will support local businesses by buying more non-tobacco products."

Sure. That'll happen.

In reality, loyal customers will no longer be as loyal. They will buy FEWER non-tobacco products from those outlets because they will be buying some stuff in the same location where they will now go to buy cigarettes. That's the way it works.

Mind you, I'm not defending cigarette sales, but let's not be totally disingenuous, shall we? Maybe the ban is a good thing, but call it the way it really is rather than (pardon the pun) blowing smoke up our asses.