“The New England Convenience Store & Energy Marketers Association (NECSEMA) is asking Gov. Charlie Baker to delay the implementation of the state’s flavored tobacco ban, which is set to begin June 1. The request comes as convenience stores face declining sales as the country deals with the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Jon Shaer, executive director of NECSEMA, overall sales are off roughly 30 percent to 50 percent. In addition, the ban is expected to lead to another 20 percent loss in revenue, Shaer said in a letter to Baker. That number could be even higher in urban markets, he added. “By the end of May, it is estimated 200 stores will be permanently closed; if the menthol, mint and wintergreen ban goes into effect then the number is estimated to grow to 800 within a month or two, and most urban and inner-city stores ‘are not expected to survive,'” he wrote.”
ARTICLE LINK:
NECSEMA Asks Massachusetts Gov to Delay Statewide Flavored Tobacco Ban
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