Hartford is once again pursuing a ban on the sale of all flavored tobacco products, reviving an issue that was overshadowed last year by the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
UpdatedSat, Feb 6, 2021 at 7:41 pm ET
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Hundreds of the state s package and convenience stores are worried that a bill proposed in the Connecticut Legislature could hurt their businesses by allowing grocery stores to sell wine, and big box stores to sell beer. (Renee Schiavone/Patch)
CONNECTICUT Hundreds of the state s package and convenience stores have banded together to oppose a new bill in the Connecticut Legislature that would allow grocery stores to sell wine, and big box stores to sell beer.
HB6101 An Act Concerning Various Issues Related to the Liquor Control Act contains the two provisions mentioned above, and also would allow restaurants to continue to include alcohol with takeout orders for the next three years, well beyond when the coronavirus pandemic is expected to subside. Connecticut s restaurants already are allowed to do that by executive order from Gov. Ned Lamont, but the proposed bill would extend it.
Wine in grocery stores, beer at Walmart and liquor with takeout orders: Reforms to Connecticut s liquor laws anger package store owners courant.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from courant.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The WasteWatcher January 15, 2021 Elizabeth Wright
On November 27, 2019, Massachusetts became the first state to permanently ban the sale of all flavored tobacco products. This includes mint and menthol cigarettes, flavored electronic cigarettes (vaping and heat-not-burn), and smokeless tobacco. The law also includes a 75 percent excise tax on e-cigarettes. The stated purpose is to stop an epidemic of youth vaping and prevent teenagers from beginning a lifetime of addiction.
In 2020, Maryland attempted to implement a similar ban and faced strong opposition, particularly from vapers. It is expected the Maryland legislature will introduce legislation again this year and other states are considering doing so as well.