Maine lawmakers approve ban on tobacco sales in pharmacies

By Billy Kobin, Bangor Daily News Staff

AUGUSTA — Maine pharmacies would no longer be allowed to sell tobacco products under a proposal that state lawmakers advanced Monday.

The proposed ban from House Majority Leader Matt Moonen, D-Portland, would take effect in April 2026. Businesses would face fines for violating the rule. It would cost the state nearly $800,000 in revenue during the first full year of implementation, a fiscal estimate found. Supporters noted the health benefits and saved medical costs are not captured in that estimate.

The House advanced Moonen’s measure last week in a 72-68 vote, and the Senate passed it 19-12 on Monday. Sen. Stacey Guerin of Glenburn, a top ally of the evangelical Christian Civic League of Maine, was the only Republican to co-sponsor and vote for it. The bill faces further votes in each chamber before reaching Gov. Janet Mills, whose administration backs it.

The pharmacy-focused ban is moving forward after the Legislature in recent years has seen plenty of lengthy debates and lobbying over other related measures, particularly a stalled effort to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products.

Sen. Henry Ingwersen, D-Arundel, who co-sponsored the measure, noted CVS stopped selling tobacco products in its stores in 2014 and that Hannaford did the same in 2020. Ingwersen said Monday the ban would align with Maine’s goals on improving public health.

Sen. Bruce Bickford, R-Auburn, called it a “stupid bill” and argued businesses should make decisions on whether to sell tobacco products. He also quipped that the state could “take away powdered donuts” and any other unhealthy products from stores.

“Just sell fruit and produce and nothing else,” Bickford said.

Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Director Puthiery Va cited the costs of tobacco use and how more than 2,000 Mainers have died annually from smoking. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network also noted tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of cancer and cancer-related deaths. 

The ban could particularly help reduce the visibility and accessibility of products for children and those trying to stop using tobacco, said Julia MacDonald, the network’s government relations director.

“Pharmacies are trusted health care providers, and selling tobacco products in these settings sends conflicting messages to consumers seeking health-promoting products and services,” MacDonald said.