The Great Barrington Police Department and board of health are authorized to ensure compliance by retailers. The ban is effective immediately for four months and may be extended beyond Jan. 25, 2020.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced last week that e-cigarette use has increased almost 80 percent among high schoolers and 50 percent among middle schoolers since last year.
In her letter Joyce Brewer writes: "It takes most people with a nicotine addiction several tries to quit for good, so reach out to those who have conquered this addiction and let them know you are proud of how hard they're working to better their well-being."
The regulations, which will go into effect on Tuesday, November 15, will apply to the two Egremont retail establishments that currently hold Egremont tobacco permits.