EASTHAMPTON — The city may follow some 150 municipalities, including Northampton, that have adopted measures to prohibit the sale of tobacco to people under 21.

The proposed regulation also limits the sale of flavored tobacco products to adult-only retail stores and smoking bars, and to cap the number of tobacco permits to the present number of 19.

The Board of Health public hearing is scheduled for 6:30 Monday in Conference Room A in the Municipal Building, 50 Payson Ave.

Lester Hartman, a pediatrician and a state representative of Tobacco 21, has visited about 165 communities within the past five years, pushing cities like Easthampton to adopt more restrictive tobacco regulations. Tobacco 21 is a national organization pushing to raise the minimum age for buying tobacco.

Each time he visits a town, Hartman purchases tobacco products from stores in the area and presents them to the Board of Health. He finds cigarillos in flavors such as chocolate, vanilla, cognac and blueberry pie, e-cigarettes and liquid nicotine. He keeps the receipts to show the board where the products were purchased and what the costs are.

“People are shocked,” said Hartman, who made a presentation to the Easthampton Board of Health in April. He said many people don’t notice what’s behind the counter at convenience stores.

Members of the Easthampton Board of Health could not be reached for comment, and Health Agent Jackie Duda is on vacation.

Hartman said most local boards of health are in favor of the proposed restrictions, but one of the main arguments against it is if an 18-year-old can serve in the military, they should have the right to smoke tobacco. Hartman said that does not mean an 18-year-old is ready for a lifetime of smoking.

Needham was the first municipality in Massachusetts to adopt the restriction in 2005. Although research is still in the preliminary stages, Hartman said the restriction has had a significant impact in reducing youth tobacco smoking in Needham.

A similar measure is on the Massachusetts Senate table for a statewide regulation prohibiting those under 21 from purchasing tobacco products to protect youth from the health risks of tobacco and nicotine addiction.

Caitlin Ashworth can be reached at cashworth@gazettenet.com.

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