Letter: Get Information About Dangers of Youth Vaping

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To the Editor:

The start of the school year and new routines brings new worries about teen vaping. These concerns are important, especially now, because smoking and vaping may put people at higher risk of complications from COVID-19.

One in three Massachusetts teens vape and talking with young people about the dangers of vaping can make a difference. Learn more and watch videos at GetOutraged.org, part of a public information campaign from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Get Outraged! aims to spread the word that vaping products contain nicotine, can damage a teen's developing brain, and are addictive. The campaign also shares tips on talking with kids about vaping and resources to help them quit.

Get Outraged! complements "Facts. No Filters." a campaign with videos and information about vaping for youth at mass.gov/vaping by the Department of Public Health in collaboration with the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation.

In addition, handouts about vaping and quit resource cards for youth are available free of charge at the Massachusetts Health Promotion Clearinghouse.

For more information and to help you educate young people about vaping, contact Joyce Brewer at the Berkshire Tobacco-Free Community Partnership, jbrewer@berkshireahec.org
 

Joyce Brewer
Dalton, Mass.

Joyce Brewer is the program manager for the Berkshire Tobacco Free Community Partnership of Berkshire AHEC.

 

 

 


Tags: childrens health,   letters to the editor,   vaping,   


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Brisket Lovers, Boxcar Racing Fans Fill Main Street in North Adams

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Main Street was blocked off for barbecue and boxcars on Friday. 
 
The brisket contest actually started at about 10:30 p.m. on Thursday night, as some smokers — like the North Adams Fire Department — fired up their charcoal for the long cooking process. 
 
"The teams have been cooking up a storm since 11 o'clock last night. They've been having so much fun," said Mayor Jennifer Macksey. "I believe the Fire Department did breakfast this morning with breakfast sandwiches. Then Dough Boys had pizza this afternoon. So even if you're not able to participate tonight, just walking by, people have been eating."
 
The event had been scheduled for last Sunday but postponed after an early Nor'easter dumped rain over the region. 
 
At Monument Square, cars were lifted onto a contraption constructed by McCann Technical School students that would give the racers in the two age groups a boost as they traveled down the hill to a large blow-up finish line in front of the Mohawk Theater.
 
Waiting for them was Police Lt. Anthony Beverly with a "certified LiDAR unit," which he said recorded top speeds of 14 mph for the winners of both age categories.
 
"Our goal is we want everybody to make it across the finish line. Remember last year we lost some people," said Macksey. "My hope is I don't have to push anybody this year."
 
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