Vincent Moore
News Editor
After three months of discussion and debate, the Keene City Council has raised the age to purchase and possess nicotine and tobacco products from 18 to 21.
The Council voted during their Dec. 6 meeting to pass the ordinance 10-5, according to the Keene Sentinel.
The Sentinel reported that the ordinance was effective the moment it was passed and includes electronic cigarettes and liquid nicotine, along with traditional tobacco products. Violations of the ordinance incur a $50 fine for first offenses and a $100 fine for each subsequent offense.
The Equinox reported in September that Program Manager for the Cheshire Coalition for Tobacco Free Communities Kate McNally submitted first submitted the proposal to the Council in July of 2018. The proposal was forwarded to the Municipal Services, Facilities, and Infrastructure Committee for discussion and eventually drafting.
Despite being a state institute, Director of Campus Safety Jeff Maher said that students will have to abide by the new ordinance.
“The student code of conduct is the vehicle by which campus safety enforces the rules, regulations and values of the institution, and the student code of conduct has a section which reflects that we expect our students to abide by all state, federal, local laws, rules and regulations, so that’s how we’ll enforce,” Maher said.
Vincent Moore can be contacted at vmoore@kscequinox.com
