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Big Y Foods raises tobacco age requirement chainwide

New policy goes into effect next week at all store banners

Russell Redman

June 13, 2019

2 Min Read
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Starting next week, customers younger than 21 won’t be able to buy tobacco products at any Big Y Foods Inc. stores.

The Springfield, Mass.-based regional grocer said that, as of June 17, it’s raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21 at all of its 80 locations in Massachusetts and Connecticut. The change includes the retailer’s Big Y World Class Market, Fresh Acres Market, Table & Vine and Big Y Express Fuel & Convenience store banners.

Big Y noted that it took the initiative to get ahead of regulatory changes by instituting a consistent tobacco-age policy for its stores in the two states.

In Connecticut, Gov. Ned Lamont is expected to soon sign a bill approved May 31 by the state legislature that would raise the age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21 beginning in October. Massachusetts raised the legal age to buy tobacco to 21 under a law that went into effect on Jan. 1, and Big Y said it implemented the new age requirement at all of its stores in the state as of that date.

The Connecticut and Massachusetts legislations also cover electronic cigarette products. Big Y said it currently sells e-cigarettes and vaping products only at its convenience stores, not in any of its supermarkets.

“For years, we have been diligent in helping families keep cigarettes and tobacco products out of the hands of children,” Big Y CEO Charles D’Amour said in a statement. “As responsible members of our community, this next step to raise the age to procure all tobacco products to 21 will further protect our families and youth from these products reaching the wrong consumer and end user.”

Related:Supermarkets cited in crackdown on e-cigarettes

With the policy change, Big Y said it has bolstered training to reinforce proper age verification. Its efforts include the use of its electronic age-validation systems, computerized training programs for all cashiers, an easy-reference calendar to verify age 21 and “We Card” signs in key areas throughout each store.

Big Y joins a host of retailers in other states and municipalities where the age requirement has been raised to help prevent underage tobacco use.

As of June 10, 15 states — Arkansas, California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and Washington — have increased the minimum legal sale age for tobacco products to 21, along with Washington, D.C., and at least 470 localities, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Measures are slated to become effective in Illinois, Virginia and Delaware next month; Arkansas, Texas, Vermont and Maryland later this year; Washington state at the start of 2020; and Utah in mid-2021.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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