Tobacco grant to target smoking, vaping among Fall River area teens

The announcement of the grants, which will be awarded to 16 municipal health departments over four years, comes 10 days after Gov. Charlie Baker signed a law raising the tobacco-buying age to 21 statewide

The state Department of Public Health on Monday announced $6 million in tobacco-control grants, money it said will help 182 municipalities reduce tobacco use and protect youth "from exposure to tobacco and vaping industry tactics."

The announcement of the grants, which will be awarded to 16 municipal health departments over four years, comes 10 days after Gov. Charlie Baker signed a law raising the tobacco-buying age to 21 statewide, banning the sale of tobacco products and pharmacies and prohibiting the use of e-cigarettes in public spaces where smoking is already forbidden.

"Massachusetts continues to develop comprehensive approaches to reduce tobacco and nicotine use among young people and adults," Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders. "Local communities throughout the state will use this funding to build and strengthen their efforts to educate the public about the health effects of tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke, and direct individuals to cessation resources."

Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel said the awards come at a time when vaping rates among youth are nine times higher than among adults. The Department of Public Health in July launched a public information campaign, "The New Look of Nicotine Addiction," which seeks to educate parents of middle- and high-schoolers about vaping and e-cigarettes.

The grants, a combination of state and federal money, will go to the health departments in Andover, Barnstable, Boston, Brookline, Fall River, Hanover, Lee, Leominster, Lowell, Lynn, Melrose, New Bedford, Somerville, South Hadley, Springfield and Worcester. Each awardee will work with nearby communities as well, the DPH said.