More than 100 cancer patients, survivors, and their families from throughout Massachusetts gathered at the State House last week to ask lawmakers to support legislation protecting youth from the dangers of nicotine addiction as part of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s (ACS CAN) annual Lobby Day. Among those meeting with lawmakers were Bromfield students Ben Buchovecky, Nikhil Kommineni, MacKinlay Chipman, and Anya Buchovecky. The youth were accompanied by Holly Grant, also of Harvard. The students asked the legislators to support an act to protect youth from the health risks of tobacco and nicotine addiction. The bill would increase the age of sale for tobacco products from 18 to 21, include e-cigarettes in the smoke-free workplace law, and prohibit sales of tobacco in facilities that provide health care, such as pharmacies. State Rep. Jen Benson is co-sponsoring the legislation.
From left: Holly Grant, Ben Buchovecky, Nikhil Kommineni, Rep. Jen Benson, MacKinlay Chipman, and Anya Buchovecky pose at the State House during the American Cancer Society’s annual Lobby Day. (Courtesy photo)
