By Timothy S. Donahue

Top Takeaways:

• Smoking decline: An MDPH h analysis found flavored tobacco bans reduced smoking prevalence by 1.37 percentage points between June 2020 and January 2023.
• Health savings: Researchers project the policy could generate nearly $200 million in healthcare cost savings over 10 years.
• Retail impact minimal: The study found no measurable negative impact on tobacco retailers and examined only the impact of menthol cigarette restrictions.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health released a report showing that the state’s restrictions on flavored tobacco sales have led to a measurable drop in smoking rates.

The analysis examines the impact of An Act Modernizing Tobacco Control, a law that went into effect on July 1, 2020, and celebrated its fifth anniversary in 2025. The legislation bans the sale of flavored tobacco products—including menthol cigarettes—except at licensed smoking bars where they can be consumed onsite.

Researchers specifically examined the law’s impact on menthol cigarettes and smoking-related health outcomes across the state. The report states that restricting menthol cigarette sales lowered smoking rates in Massachusetts by 1.37 percentage points from June 2020 to January 2023.

The study was conducted by the DPH Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program in collaboration with economists John Tauras, PhD, and Frank Chaloupka, PhD, from the University of Illinois Chicago.

Researchers also projected significant long-term healthcare savings linked to lower smoking rates. After adjusting for inflation, the analysis estimates the policy could save nearly $200 million in healthcare costs over 10 years, with about $70 million already saved during the first five years after the law was enacted.

The projected decreases in healthcare spending result from expected drops in smoking-related illnesses like lung cancer, heart attacks, and stroke, along with fewer smoking-related pregnancy complications and infant health problems.

Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein stated that the findings emphasize the wider public health effects of the legislation.

“Commemorating five years since the enactment of this historic legislation with the knowledge that this law is saving lives and money is one more way to highlight the transformative impact thoughtful policy can have on improving lives and reducing long-term health costs,” Goldstein said.

While Massachusetts law bans all flavored tobacco products, the specific analysis only looked at the impact of menthol cigarette restrictions. Researchers observed that the estimated cost savings might actually be underestimated since the analysis excluded other smoking-related conditions like asthma.

The report also evaluated potential economic effects on retailers and found no evidence that the law harmed the retail sector. According to the analysis, the number of tobacco stores, convenience stores, and convenience stores with gas stations selling tobacco products remained stable after the policy’s implementation.

The study also found no significant negative impact on employment or wages among those retailers.

The full reports are available through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the state’s Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program evaluation dashboard.