Concord Tobacco Control Agent initiates increased compliance checks for underage sales

The Town of Concord's Board of Health meeting on December 17, 2024, highlighted significant efforts in tobacco control within the community. The tobacco control agent reported on the ongoing initiatives aimed at educating and inspecting local tobacco permit holders to ensure compliance with state and local laws.

The agent explained that their role involves not only educating vendors about regulations but also conducting inspections to verify adherence to these laws. A key component of their strategy includes compliance checks, where undercover operations are carried out to assess whether tobacco products are being sold to individuals under the legal age of 21.

This year, the town has implemented two rounds of compliance checks, conducted between July and December, a notable increase from the previous practice of only one round annually. The agent confirmed that this proactive approach will continue into the next year, with plans for additional checks from January to June.

These efforts reflect Concord's commitment to reducing youth access to tobacco products and promoting public health within the community. The Board of Health's initiatives are part of a broader strategy to ensure compliance and protect the health of residents, particularly young people.