View press releases from the desk of Senator John F. Keenan
In the News:
Commonwealth magazine – january 28, 2020
Senators, unions push back against more T privatization
MBTA UNIONS and their legislative supporters launched a full-court press at Monday’s meeting of the Fiscal and Management Control Board to block efforts by the transit authority to buy 60 new buses and turn them over to a private contractor to operate and maintain.
Six of the state’s 40 senators and a host of union officials testified before the control board, pressing the panel to invest in its own workforce rather than contracting the work out. “Do not default to privatization, default to working with your employees,” said Sen. John Keenan of Quincy to rousing applause from union workers in the audience.
wicked local – December 11, 2019
State officials applaud Holbrook students for battle against vaping, tobacco
Holbrook Middle-High School students were invited to attend the signing of an historic bill that changes tobacco control in the state.
The students, including graduate Sarah Ryan who has become a national force on fighting vaping and tobacco, were recognized for the years of effort put in by the Civics Club and the school’s chapter of the 84 Movement.
NECN – november 27, 2019
Gov. Baker Signs Groundbreaking Bill Banning Flavored Tobacco, Vape Products
(VIDEO) Massachusetts became the first state to ban flavored tobacco and nicotine vaping products, including menthol cigarettes, after Republican Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law on Wednesday a bill that’s meant to reduce the appeal of the products to young people amid a rash of illnesses and deaths linked to vaping.
wall street journal – november 27, 2019
Massachusetts Enacts U.S.’s Toughest Flavored-Tobacco Ban
BOSTON—Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law the nation’s toughest prohibition on flavored tobacco, including a ban on menthol cigarettes.
The new restrictions will put Massachusetts at the forefront of a national crackdown on flavored tobacco in an effort to stop young people from developing tobacco habits. At the federal level, White House support for a ban on sweet and fruity e-cigarettes appeared to be softening after President Trump last week said a prohibition could have dangerous consequences.
boston.com – november 21, 2019
After Senate vote, Mass. bill to ban flavored tobacco sales heads to governor’s desk
“For far too long, big tobacco has targeted our kids with flavored products,” state Sen. John Keenan, who pushed for the ban alongside state Rep. Danielle Gregoire, said in a statement. “By banning the sale of the flavored products … we are telling big tobacco their days of hooking kids in Massachusetts are over. Hopefully, this effort will serve as a roadmap for the rest of the country.”
boston globe – november 21, 2019
State lawmakers pass nation’s toughest restrictions on sale of flavored tobacco and vaping products
State lawmakers Thursday passed the nation’s toughest restrictions on the sale of flavored tobacco and vaping products, including menthol — a forceful response to an epidemic in which one out of every five Massachusetts high-schoolers use e-cigarettes.
wicked local – november 21, 2019
Holbrook students inspire state anti-tobacco bill
Holbrook teenagers were the inspiration behind a bill passed by the state House and Senate that would ban the sale of all flavored vaping and tobacco products, including mint and menthol. E-cigarettes would be newly taxed under the bill sent Gov. Charlie Baker early Thursday morning in an last-minute burst of lawmaking activity.
wall street journal – november 21, 2019
Massachusetts Lawmakers Pass Bill to Ban Flavored Tobacco, Menthol Cigarettes
Massachusetts lawmakers passed a bill in the early morning hours Thursday to enact the country’s most stringent state ban on flavored tobacco, including menthol cigarettes, in an effort to combat youth tobacco use.
The Democratic-led legislature sent the bill to Republican Gov. Charlie Baker after a final preholiday session at the state capital stretched beyond midnight. The House passed the flavor ban last week, but needed to clear it again after the Senate added some amendments following a long floor debate.
New york times – november 21, 2019
Massachusetts to Ban Menthol Cigarettes as Well as Flavored Vapes
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Massachusetts has moved a step closer to banning all flavored e-cigarettes and tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, amid a national push to contend with the risks of vaping.
The State Senate followed the House late Wednesday in passing a sweeping ban, which, if signed into law, would make Massachusetts the first state in the nation to bar all flavored vaping and tobacco products. Other states were said to be closely watching the outcome in Massachusetts.
CNN – November 21, 2019
Massachusetts lawmakers vote to ban all flavored tobacco products and tax vaping devices
(CNN) Lawmakers in Massachusetts passed a comprehensive set of tobacco controls early Thursday morning that, if signed into law, will make the state’s tobacco laws among the toughest in the nation.
The bill, which made it to Republican Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk after midnight, passed both houses of the state legislature with widespread support — 32-6 in the state Senate, and 127-31 in the state House of Representatives. A final version reconciled between the two chambers passed the House 119-33.
Boston 25 – October 18, 2019
Boston 25 News In-Depth: Vaping crisis
Vaping has become the center of a controversial, nationwide discussion.
The number of Americans with vaping-related lung disease is climbing every week. The latest numbers from the CDC show 1,479 confirmed cases in the United States; 29 of those cases are in Massachusetts
Thirty-three people have died nationwide, including one in Mass.
Mass Live – July 21, 2019
‘It infects social groups:’ Vaping and e-cigarette use in schools skyrockets; why you should care
The first e-cigarette Matt Murphy tried was a brick-like device with a large mouthpiece. He took a hit and released an amorphous cloud of smoke, not like the elegant rings that influencers blow out of their mouths in YouTube videos.
Associated Press – July 21, 2019
Flavored Tobacco Targeted In Bid To Stem Youth Vaping
One year after concluding a successful campaign to raise the minimum age for buying tobacco from 18 to 21 across Massachusetts, anti-smoking advocates are now zeroing in on flavored tobacco products like those popular with electronic cigarette users.
Mass Live – July 16, 2019
Attorney General Maura Healey says unregulated e-cigarette flavors getting a new generation hooked on nicotine
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey called on state lawmakers to move forward with legislation that bans flavored tobacco products, including vapes, from retailers across the commonwealth.
“The research is clear: flavor in tobacco products increases their appeal to young people and promotes initiation,” Healey said during the Joint Committee on Public Health heading Tuesday afternoon. “The good news is we know what works. We’ve fought Big Tobacco before and won.”
Boston Herald – July 16, 2019
Bill calling for ban on vaping pens would be the nation’s first if passed
Legislation calling for a ban on all flavored tobacco products statewide, including increasingly popular JUUL vape pods, would be the first of its kind in the nation if passed.
“Make no mistake about it, Big Tobacco is now Big Vape,” said state Rep. Danielle Gregoire (D-Marlboro) who is co-sponsoring the bill with state Sen. John Keenan (D-Quincy)
7 News boston – July 16, 2019
State lawmakers call for ban on flavored tobacco
BOSTON (WHDH) – State lawmakers are weighing a ban of flavored tobacco products across Massachusetts, saying officials need to do more to stop kids from vaping, but manufacturers and convenience store owners say they’re already working to prevent youth use.
WBUR – July 1, 2019
Cumberland Farms Sues 6 Mass. Towns Over Flavored Tobacco Ban
Cumberland Farms is suing six Massachusetts towns over new regulations blocking the sale of flavored tobacco products and Sen. John Keenan said the suit is proof of the need for a state law banning products like some of the most popular Juul pods and more.
NECN, The take – June 14, 2019
Lawmakers Push Statewide Ban on Flavored Tobacco Products
State Sen. John Keenan joins Sue to talk about the vaping epidemic in Massachusetts schools and how lawmakers want a ban on flavored tobacco products to cut down on their use.
Patriot Ledger – June 14, 2019
Blood drives for Quincy’s Mighty Quinn are a ‘mission of love’
WEYMOUTH — Outside the Saint Jerome School Friday afternoon was a little girl dressed as a cartoon blood drop, hopping from foot to foot and handing green rubber bracelets to anyone who would take them as a way of greeting and encouraging people to stop by a blood drive to benefit Boston Children’s Hospital.
22 news – June 12, 2019
Athletic agencies team up with lawmakers to discourage teen vaping
BOSTON (WWLP) – More than 20 percent of Massachusetts high school students currently use e-cigarettes and the health risks associated with it could be hurting an entire generation.
During a news conference on Tuesday organizations like TB12 warned teens about the long term health effects of vaping.
Mass live – June 12, 2019
Vaping is ruining student athletes: ’It’s heartbreaking,’ Massachusetts parents, school officials say
Paul Spear was just started as athletic director at Framingham High School when he heard that students were vaping. All he knew was that a friend mentioned he was using the products to ween off cigarettes.
By late 2017, a year later, he was seeing student athletes in his office every week who got caught vaping on school grounds. He had to break the news to them and their parents that they were suspended from a series of games or competitions, due to regulations set by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association.
State house news service – May 20, 2019
Health activists press ban on flavored tobacco, vaping products
BOSTON — Ten months after Massachusetts became the sixth state to raise its tobacco-buying age to 21, Rep. Danielle Gregoire said she has “real hope” a ban on flavored tobacco and vaping products will pass this year or next.
Gregoire spoke at an American Heart Association of Massachusetts lobby day Thursday, urging advocates to share their personal stories with lawmakers.
Holbrook wicked local – May 28, 2019
Holbrook gets a boost in state aid
Holbrook will receive a boost in state aid for fiscal year 2020, according to state Sen. John Keenan.
The state budget includes a 2.7 percent increase in local aid, providing the Town of Holbrook a total of $1,566,803 for to help fund public safety improvements, housing initiatives, community health programs and other local services. The Council on Aging also will receive funding increases.
Boston Globe – May 19, 2019
EDITORIAL: Time to get serious about teen vaping epidemic
Electronic nicotine delivery systems — such as vape pens, e-hookahs, and other forms of e-cigarettes — arrived a few years ago under the guise of providing a less harmful and better smoking experience than traditional cigarettes. E-cigarettes typically have no tobacco and none of the cancerous toxins found in cigarettes. They work by heating a liquid made of nicotine, glycerol, flavorings, and other chemicals. They produce no odor.
Boston HERALD – May 9, 2019
Mass General pediatrician pushes ban on flavored vapes
A Massachusetts General pediatrician warns that kids “don’t really stand a chance” against vape companies like Juul, pointing to marketing tactics that he says are meant to get them hooked on nicotine.
“I see a flood of kids in my practice who are addicted to Juul,” Dr. Jonathan Winickoff said. “It’s extremely scary.”
Patriot Ledger – May 9, 2019
Quincy Sen. John Keenan pushes for ban on flavored tobacco
BOSTON — An epidemic of vaping and e-cigarette use among Massachusetts teens is frightening doctors and advocates, and state Sen. John Keenan, D-Quincy, said he is making it a priority to pass a bill forbidding the sale of flavored tobacco or tobacco products this session.
patriot ledger – April 11, 2019
Abington High one of three ‘Blue Ribbon Schools’ in the state
ABINGTON — The state’s commissioner of elementary and secondary education will visit Abington High School on Friday to congratulate administrators on its designation as a Blue Ribbon School, a national distinction given by the U.S. Department of Education.
Commissioner Jeffrey Riley will join state Sen. John Keenan, D-Quincy, at the high school starting at 1 p.m. to meet with administrators and students in eighth and 12th grades.
boston globe – March 28, 2019
Advocates want ban on flavored tobacco and vaping products
More than 100 cancer patients, survivors, and their family members fanned out across Beacon Hill on Thursday to push for a ban on all flavored tobacco products, including the nicotine liquid used in vaping, as well as steep new taxes on e-cigarettes.
holbrook wicked local – March 22, 2019
Keenan, Holbrook students talk dangers of teen vaping
State Sen. John Keenan met March 5 with members of the Holbrook Middle-High School Civics Club to discuss the increase in teen vaping across Massachusetts.
The Holbrook Civics Club has been working to raise awareness about the health risks associated with e-cigarettes and vape products such as JUUL, and joined Keenan to discuss legislation that would ban the sale of flavored tobacco products statewide.
watd – February 18, 2019
WATD: Beacon Hill: Keenan Discusses Committee Assignments
State Senator John Keenan, represents the Norfolk and Plymouth District, discusses his committee assignments with WATD’s Dan McCready.
WBUR – July 25, 2018
Deal Struck To Protest Consumers Hurt By Data Breaches
A compromise bill filed Tuesday by a House-Senate conference committee would afford Massachusetts residents a year and a half of free credit monitoring services if their personal data and Social Security number are compromised by a data security breach.
