The Massachusetts town of Westminster wants to make U.S. history by being the first town in the country to prohibit the sale of all tobacco products.

The Board of Health is scheduled on Wednesday to conduct a public hearing on the proposal, expected to be the arena for a looming legal battle between tobacco firms and health groups.

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American Lung Association Director of National Policy Thomas Carr commended Westminster for the proposal.

"To my knowledge, it would be the first in the nation to enact a total ban," AP quotes Carr.

Expectedly, the tobacco shops and Westminster smokers are opposing the total ban with one retailer, Brian Vincent, spearheading a signature campaign against the proposal since tobacco products sales contribute more than 5 percent of sales in a grocery that his family owns. So far, the campaign has gathered about 800 signatures.

The proposal has the support of Elizabeth Swedberg, the town's health agent, who does not favor the promotion of tobacco products to Westminster youth, even if these are not cigarettes. She cited cigars that are bubblegum flavored, electronic cigarettes and smokeless tobacco that looks like Tic Tac candies.

Swedberg warned that unless the tobacco firms are stopped from its marketing blitz, the country's below 18 population of 5.6 million will prematurely die of the effects of smoking.

Philip Morris USA, the biggest cigarette manufacturer in the country, likewise is against the planned ban because of its negative impact on local companies.

David Sutton, spokesman of Philip Morris, said companies should have the the right to choose the kind of products they market. He said the proposal would change the way businesses operate and also result in the loss of jobs in Westminster.

" If the ban were to be implemented, adult tobacco and e-vapor consumers could shift their purchases to neighboring stores," said Sutton.

In social media, people are divided on the proposal. The Bomb agrees with Swedberg and tweeted a statement acknowledging that smoking causes premature deaths.

On the other hand, John Fregia commented that "This, boys and girls, is what happens when you elect people who know better than you. Serves them right."

Tagssmoking ban, Tobacco, Massachusetts, westminster, tobacco ban