Board of Health approves tobacco sales restrictions near schools
Franklin Board of Health unanimously restricts tobacco sales near schools and bans oral nicotine pouches. Chair Kim Mu-Chow's motion grandfathered existing permit holders within 500 feet of schools while requiring new applicants to locate 1,000 feet away, and prohibited retailers from selling oral
Board of Health · Meeting of January 7, 2026
Franklin Board of Health unanimously restricts tobacco sales near schools and bans oral nicotine pouches. Chair Kim Mu-Chow's motion grandfathered existing permit holders within 500 feet of schools while requiring new applicants to locate 1,000 feet away, and prohibited retailers from selling oral nicotine pouches up to 6 milligrams per pouch. Public Health Nurse Alicia Sullivan reported low uptake of blood pressure kits at the library and plans outreach to senior centers.
The board noted significantly higher flu cases and pediatric infections in Franklin compared to the prior year.
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Source: the Board of Health meeting of January 7, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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