Warrant
Article 19

What is it?
This tobacco bylaw reads similar to our

current regulations except for one major
clause:
“Identification: Each person selling or distributing

tobacco products, as defined herein, shall verify the
age of the purchaser by means of a valid governmentissued photographic identification containing the
bearer’s date of birth that the purchaser was born
prior to 1/1/2004.

What does this mean?
 If this warrant article passes, you must be

born Before January 1st, 2004 to legally
purchase any tobacco products in the town
of Bellingham.

Are any other towns passing
similar legislation?


Several other towns across the
state have recently adopted similar
policies, including:
 Belchertown
 Brookline
 Chelsea
 Concord
 Malden
 Manchester
 Melrose
 Needham

 Newton
 Pelham
 Reading
 Somerville
 Stoneham
 Wakefield
 Winchester

Important Clarifications
 This is NOT a ban on the sale of tobacco

products of any kind
 This will NOT have an effect on the current

population of smokers

What does my vote mean?
 A “Yes” majority vote

 A “No” majority vote

will pass the article,
enacting the bylaw
and changing the age
for tobacco sales to
“Must be born before
1/1/04”.

will result in the
article being denied,
and the age for
tobacco sales will
remain “Must be 21
years of age”.