Bellingham Board of Health Schedules Tobacco Bylaw Hearing for March 4

BELLINGHAM — February 4, 2025 — Bellingham Board of Health moves toward a generational tobacco ban and begins kratom review. The board voted unanimously Tuesday to hold a public hearing on March 4 on a proposed tobacco bylaw — modeled on Brookline's ordinance — that would bar sales to anyone born in 2006 or later, affecting all 27 of the town's tobacco license holders after the board also retired three unissued permits. Health Agent D. Leon Min reported the board's attorney has confirmed the bylaw is legally sound and will review a final draft before it goes to the May town meeting warrant. On kratom, Min surveyed local retailers and found concentrated sales at two locations, including Atlas Smoke Shop on North Main Street, and invited the American Kratom Association to present at the board's next meeting. "I don't want to just throw this in front of the town meeting and then have a big brouhaha," Min said of the tobacco proposal. Newly reorganized under Chair Vinny Forde and Vice Chair Rick Gilbery, the board also approved supply invoices totaling $198.18 from WB Mason and Amazon Basics.