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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North Adams Orders Dogs Rehomed

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A dog owner was ordered to rehome two of five pets over excessive barking. 
 
The new Animal Control Commission was finding its way last Thursday as it dealt with dog complaints, wildlife and neighbor disputes at its second meeting.
 
John Flaherty of East Avenue was ordered to license his dogs and remove two to bring his pack into compliance with the city's ordinances. 
 
His neighbor James Whitney has lodged complaints over the past three years, saying the dogs were barking at all hours of the night and brought a list of times when the noise had awakened him. 
 
"I understand dogs bark during the day," he said. "I can put up with that, but not at nighttime. There were 140 instances between Feb. 6 [2025] and Jan. 20 [2026], where I or my wife or both of us heard the dogs barking in the a.m."
 
Flaherty said all five dogs are rescues and he's made efforts to contain the dogs. He's fenced the yard as well and brought the dogs in when they've been barking and keeps them in the house while he works nights. 
 
"I get home at midnight when I'm working, OK, I let three dogs out. I tell you, they don't make a noise. Don't make a sound. I bring them back in," he said. "I've got the two little ones I let out. They'll yap little, but I can't recall any insistent barking after midnight in a long long time."
 
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