Brookline’s Historic Law Phasing Out All Tobacco Sales Is Affirmed by the Massachusetts High Court
In a significant victory for the law school’s Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI), the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) recently upheld a groundbreaking bylaw in the town of Brookline that bans tobacco sales in town to anyone born in the 21st century. PHAI represented Brookline in the case, successfully arguing before the court against critics of the law, who argued that it conflicts with the state statute that sets the minimum sales age for tobacco products at 21.
Mark Gottlieb
In its ruling, the SJC upheld a lower court’s decision to dismiss the lawsuit, known as Six Brothers v. Brookline. “The court has confirmed that Massachusetts is, indeed, a laboratory for public health innovation. It is important that Brookline’s law applies not only to cigarettes but also to vaping, pouches and whatever new products the tobacco industry rolls out to hook kids,” said PHAI executive director Mark Gottlieb ’93.
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Northeastern University School of Law is pleased to welcome Professors Sarah Lageson and David Stein and to our community.
“Let your work be a beacon that lights the way for others, a testament to the values you have embraced in your time here.” Senator William “Mo” Cowan ’94 told the more than 200 JD, LLM and MLS students who graduated on May 10, 2024, in Matthews Arena.
