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about such hearings. NATO is one of the association’s partners. However, sometimes the group is not aware of a hearing until the day it is being held. “Unless you have a lot of feet on the ground — we have 351 cities and towns — it gets to be a little bit daunting,” Mendes acknowledged. Massachusetts is unique because the boards of health have autonomy and they are charged with taking care of the public health. The boards “can take any issue and decide that now we have a public health crisis,” according to Mendes. Massachusetts was also the first state to have a public health board; Paul Revere was the first public health commissioner. “Public health is public health, and we understand that environmental tobacco smoke is an issue,” she added. “But when you get into the commerce, what
you can sell and where, that is not only a health issue. And who’s next? It’s a slippery slope.” NECSEMA has seen some success when the association has a presence at meetings and its members reach out to local retailers to point out the details of pending measures. For example, in July, the association successfully fought Plymouth, Mass.’ three-pronged proposal to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products and electronic cigarettes, ban the sale of flavored tobacco products to all individuals regardless of age, and ban the sale of cigars priced under $2.50. “It’s an interesting dynamic, and it’s frustrating. Our members are being responsible and we are responsible,” Mendes said. “If we are going to be regulated, let’s do it uniformly on the state level. Let’s have a level playing field.” CSN
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VISIT US AT THE NACS SHOW!!! BOOTH #2423 1-800-776-8834 80 Convenience Store News | SEPTEMBER 2016 | WWW.CSNEWS.COM
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