By Shane Hackett –

On Wednesday Gov. Charlie Baker signed a new law banning the sale of flavored tobacco and vaping products, including menthol cigarettes.

The new law which makes Massachusetts the first to enact a permanent statewide ban, immediately bans the sale of flavored vaping products and will outlaw the sale of menthol cigarettes starting June 1, 2020.

Back in September the Governor declared a public health emergency and ordered a temporary ban on the sale of all vaping products. That ban will stay in place until Dec. 11 while the Baker administration drafts additional regulations.

The new law also places a 75% excise tax on vaping products and will require health insurers, including the state’s Medicaid program, to cover tobacco cessation counseling.

Democratic House Speaker Robert DeLeo calls the new law a “Nation-leading step will save lives.”