ASHFIELD — Fines for violating tobacco sales regulations are set to increase, along with other minor changes the Board of Health is preparing to make to Ashfield’s bylaws.

Most of the changes are minor, board members said during a Dec. 17 meeting after reviewing the proposed revisions in preparation for a Jan. 7 public hearing. The changes mostly consist of updating definitions, moving around sections of the bylaws, and generally updating the regulations to be consistent with state law and recent case law.

Ashfield’s updated regulations will not include any bans that could put the town at risk of legal troubles, according to Ilana Gerjuoy, prevention strategies coordinator with the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) who has been helping the board update the regulations.

Board of Health member Jaymie Zapata said the biggest changes will come in the form of updated penalties for violating the tobacco sales regulations. Selling tobacco to a minor will lead to suspension of a business’ tobacco sales license, with a first violation incurring a three-day suspension, a second violation resulting in a seven-day suspension and a third violation prompting a 30-day suspension.

Other violations, such as violations of sign requirements featuring health advisories, will lead to fines. A first violation will incur a $100 fine, a second violation will result in a $200 fine and a seven-day license suspension, and third and subsequent violations will prompt a $300 fine and a 14-day license suspension.

Zapata said the changes proposed are simply making the town’s regulations consistent with state law.

“Numbers got rearranged, some little sections got swapped, but nothing substantial changed that we would have any control over or have much say,” Zapata said.

While the new regulations are essentially guided by the state, the board welcomes anyone with concerns on the proposed updates to attend the Jan. 7 public hearing.

“There’s very little in here that is a hill that I would die on,” said Zapata. “I’m really open to hearing what people have to say, otherwise I think we have done a good job.”

Board of Health members added that the proposed changes will likely have minimal impact, as the town only has one store — Neighbors Convenience Store at 244 Main St. — that is licensed to sell tobacco products.

The full regulations, with changes highlighted, will be posted to the town website for public review. Anyone with comments, questions or concerns about the proposed changes is invited to attend the public hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 7, at Town Hall.

Reach Madison Schofield at 413-930-4579 or mschofield@recorder.com.