Cig sale ban closer

WORCESTER — The city is one step away from becoming the ninth municipality in the state to ban the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products by local health-care providers, including chain pharmacies and other drugstores.

The ban was one of four amendments to the city’s tobacco control ordinance given initial approval by the City Council last night.

The other amendments will also ban the sale of tobacco products at local institutions of higher education and the citywide sale of so-called “blunt wraps” — a cigarette-like rolling paper that is usually made from tobacco leaves.