ADAMS, Mass. — The Board of Health has banned the selling of tobacco products to those under the age of 21 in town and updated its regulations.
The board heard no opposition to its proposals during a public hearing on Tuesday night and voted to put the new regulations in effect on Feb. 1, 2017.
"Any products containing, made or derived from tobacco or nicotine that is intended for human consumption, smoked, chewed, absorbed, dissolved, inhaled, snorted, sniffed or injected by any means … will not be sold to anyone under the legal age of 21," Chairman Bruce Shepley said before he read through the specifics of the new regulation.
The Board of Health started the process earlier this year with the help of the Tri-Town Health Department to overhaul the current regulations and update language.
Over the past few months, the Board of Health tweaked the regulations and enforcement to better fit the town of Adams.
During public comment, the only voices on the regulation were in support.
"We are wholeheartedly in support of tobacco 21," Joyce Brewer, contract manager with Tobacco-Free Community Partnership, said. "We all know that most people start smoking before they are 18 … and they are very susceptible to getting hooked on nicotine so we are in support of tobacco 21 and its acceptance by Adams."
Adams is the latest in a growing number of Berkshire communities that have set 21 as the minimum age to buy tobacco products. North Adams changed its regulations in April; Williamstown and Pittsfield also instituted tougher regulations as a deterrent to teen smoking in 2014.
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Weekend Outlook: Thunderfest is Back
By Breanna SteeleSpecial to iBerkshires
Check out the events happening this weekend including karaoke, fundraisers, and the annual Thunderfest.
Editor's pick
Thunderfest
Adams Visitor Center
Time: noon to 5 p.m.
The annual outdoor festival celebrating the historic Thunderbolt Trail and Race returns with live music, food from local vendors, local craft, retail, and recreational vendors, a campfire and marshmallows, local craft beer and wine, and more.
'The Little Mermaid'
March 20, 21, 27, 28
Lenox Memorial High School
Time: 7 to 10 p.m.
The high school's drama team is performing Disney's "The Little Mermaid." Enjoy the classic story and dress up as your favorite character and grab a photo with the cast.
$10 for seniors and students, $15 for adults, and children free if in costume for the March 28th 2 p.m. showing only.
Berkshire Botanical Bulb Show
Stockbridge
Time: 9 to 4
Friday is the last day to visit the Fitzpatrick Greenhouse at Berkshire Botanical Garden and welcome the new season amongst hundreds of flowering bulbs.
The greenhouse is free and open to the public. More information here.
Saturday
Line and Partner Dance Social
Dalton CRA
Time: 6 to 10 p.m.
Bring your partner and dance the night away. More information here.
Easter Bunny Hop Train
Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, Adams
Departure Times: 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m.
The Easter Bunny will hop onto the Hoosac Valley Train to greet families and give out colored eggs.
Tickets in coach range from $4 to $22; first class ranges from $4 to $37. A first-class table, which includes seats for four, is $127.20.
The annual seed library and exchange opens at the athenaeum. Use your library card to pick up vegetable and wildflower seeds; share seeds, ideas, and advice with your neighbors; and learn about gardening and food access from local organizations.
Auxiliary Annual Craft and Vendor Fair
Dalton American Legion
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Legion Auxiliary is hosting its annual craft and vendor fair. Vendors can email daltonamericanlegionaux155@gmail.com to be on the waitlist and the mailing list for the next event.
Railway Concerts presents Molly Venter and Eben Pariser as Goodnight Moonshine. The duo played for Valentine's Day last year but this year's concert had to be postponed to this weekend. They are touring now with their latest release, "Business Unusual," of which the Railway audience will be getting a sneak peek. Studio 9 is located at the Porches inn on River Street.
According to the state Structures Inspection Field Report from January 2025, the structure is a single-barrel corrugated steel arch with an open bottom supporting fill with an asphalt wearing surface.
click for more
Qwanell Bradley scored 33 points, and Adan Wicks added 29 as the Hoosac Valley boys basketball team won a Division 5 State Championship on Sunday. click for more
Adan Wicks scored 38 points, and the eighth-seeded Hoosac Valley basketball team Saturday rallied from a nine-point first-half deficit to earn a 76-67 win over top-seeded Drury in the Division 5 State Quarter-Finals. click for more
