Fall River Board of Health Adds Mandatory Suspension for First Tobacco Sale to Minors

FALL RIVER — June 29, 2026 — Fall River Board of Health closes a gap in local tobacco enforcement by requiring mandatory suspensions. The board voted unanimously Monday to amend its tobacco regulations to align with Massachusetts state law under 105 CMR 665.040(D), adding a mandatory suspension of up to 30 days for any first-time sale of tobacco to a minor — a penalty the local rules had not previously required, leaving only a $1,000 fine in place. Health department staff member Jennifer presented the change, noting the discrepancy had caused confusion during enforcement since the regulations were last updated in August 2022. The board retains discretion over the length of each suspension, case by case. Several convenience store operators objected during the public hearing, with Jaz Hassan of Camps Food Mart on Second Street arguing that "hundreds of transactions" a day made an employee mistake inevitable, while Chair Thomas Corey replied that the burden falls on owners to train staff, "just like in a liquor store." The board also granted five animal-keeping permits, including one for 25 hens to Michael St. Pierre of Quincy Street after his wife accepted four surplus chicks from Durfee High School's environmental program, pushing his flock above the prior 20-bird limit.