SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – The Northampton Board of Health held a virtual meeting to discuss a proposal banning the sale of nicotine pouches in certain stores.

The proposal was approved by the board of directors.

As of January 1, nicotine sachets will no longer be available on convenience store shelves.

At Thursday’s meeting, convenience store owners talked about how it would hurt their business and do virtually nothing to address the problem of underage nicotine use.

“Taking a product from their home and putting it in a different retail channel, it seems unfair to our retailers who are doing their best to comply with all the regulations imposed on them,” Peter Brennan, executive director of the New -England. The Convenience Stores and Energy Association told us.

“Traders are prohibited from selling to anyone under the age of 21 and are penalized if they do so. So I don’t think it’s necessary to add these additional restrictions on store owners,” added Stephen Helfer of Cambridge Citizens for Smokers’ Rights.

The proposal shifts all nicotine pouch sales to adult-only stores, which Helfer said will negatively impact convenience store owners.

“Many of them are immigrants who work long hours and have low profit margins. They need every item in their store to stay afloat.”

Others say the proposal has a direct impact on adults’ freedom of choice.

“It can be addictive, but people can enjoy it and we believe adults have the right to make their own choices once they turn 21,” Brennan said.

The Board of Health says retailers will have until Jan. 1 to sell any existing products they may have.

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