Letter: Raising Age for Nicotine Access Save Lives

To the Editor:

Nicotine Free Generation (NFG) is a statewide proposal to very, very slowly raise the age that licensed nicotine dealers are permitted to sell to young people. For example, a town might change the minimum age from 21 to "those born before January 1, 2026." My own town successfully adopted NFG in December. Over 500,000 Massachusetts residents already live in NFG municipalities.

I spoke last week in support of NFG, and pointed out the seamless implementation in my community. My 14-year-old grandson said about one-third of his peers smoke or vape or suck on addictive nicotine pouches. For all of them, their distribution is illegal. Widespread breaking of the law is obviously a bad lesson for our young people.

Boards of health need to weigh a tiny reduction in nicotine sales to the near-certainty that enacting NFG will save many lives. For most of us, protecting public health is the reason we serve.

Ken Elstein
Belchertown, Mass.

Elstein is a member of the Belchertown Board of Health. Belchertown was the first community in Western Massachusetts to adopt nicotine-free generation regulations last year. The Pittsfield Board of Health has been considering NFG regulations. 

Allendale Pines North Affordable Manufactured Homes Sell Fast

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:17PM / Saturday, August 22, 2026

Developer Teton Management cut the ribbon on the first six hopes in the manufactured housing community earlier this year. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Just a few months after Allendale Pines North cut the ribbon on its first six homes in the new manufactured home community, units in the planned development are selling fast with both first and second phases all but sold out.

 

For several years, Teton Management Corp. has been planning to expand its existing Allendale Pines Mobile Community with the development of 22 planned manufactured housing units. The new development has its own entrance at 395 Cheshire Road. 

 

The need for attainable housing has never been higher, Teton President George Whaling said. 

 

"And where we sought the opportunity to help with that demand is, we can get folks into a home at Allendale Pines North for essentially a couple of $100 less than what it would cost for someone to rent a three-bedroom of the same quality," he said. 

 

The corporation took over Allendale Pines, now referred to as Allendale Pines South, about 6 1/2 years ago, Whaling said. 

 

Since then, the corporation has invested $1,000,001 in infrastructure improvements, including replacing all water and sewer lines, paving the community and installing the infrastructure needed for 10 additional units, he said. 

 

Additionally, it has been working to clean up and improve the community, which was lacking during previous ownership, said Jason Nocher, owner of Nocher Realty, which has been hired to help sell the units.