City of Worcester
Board of Health
Notice of Proposed Regulation and
Opportunity for Public Comment
The Worcester Board of Health proposes to adopt a regulation under the authority of Massachusetts General Law c. 111, § 31. The proposed Regulation relative to Worcester Board of Health Tobacco Regulations includes the following provisions:
Tobacco retailers must comply with applicable local and state signage requirements.
Flavored tobacco products may only be sold and used in Smoking Bars.
Tobacco retailers to electronically acknowledge that they understand the regulations and are responsible for informing and training employees and required to furnish documentation upon request of Board of Health.
Exemption to the 500-foot retail-to-retail buffer for locations that held a Retail Tobacco Product Sales Permit within the prior three years as of the effective date.
Updated density restrictions allowing Retailer to operate within 500 feet of a Smoking Bar and allow Smoking Bars to operate within 500 feet of one another.
Standardized suspension periods and fines.
All persons desiring to submit data, views, or comments concerning the proposed regulation may submit them in writing to Attn: Director, Worcester Division of Public Health, 25 Meade Street, Worcester, MA 01610 or email them to health@worcesterma.gov. Written comments should include the sender's name, mailing address, and organization or affiliation, if any. Written comments will be accepted until 6:30 p.m. on June 12, 2026.
The Board of Health will accept public comment on the Regulations during a public hearing to be held at the Worcester Division of Public Health, 25 Meade Street, Conference Room 109, Worcester, MA on Monday, June 15, 2026 at 6:30PM. The meeting will also be available virtually by joining through our website linked below.
The complete text of the proposed Regulation may be viewed on the City website at www.worcesterma.gov/public-health/board-of-health or obtained through the Worcester Division of Public Health, 25 Meade Street, Worcester, MA 01610. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Please contact a staff liaison health@worcesterma.gov at least 5 business days in advance for any special accommodations.
The Board may adopt a revised version of the proposed actions considering relevant comments and any other practical alternatives that come to the Board's attention.
June 1, 8 2026
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