Guest Column: Help Someone Take First Step Toward a Nicotine-Free Life

The Great American Smokeout is Thursday, Nov. 16 — a great day to remind friends, co-workers and family about quitting smoking or vaping.

Developed by the American Cancer Society, the Great American Smokeout is a day for people who use tobacco and nicotine to start their journey toward a nicotine-free life. It is a perfect opportunity to think about quitting and its many benefits — physically, mentally, and financially, and maybe even plan a quit attempt.

Remember, quitting can take many tries and help is always available for anyone who uses tobacco or nicotine and who wants to quit, whether on November 16 or at any other time.

Stopping smoking, vaping, or using other tobacco or nicotine products takes time and courage. Encourage people to take the first step by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) to talk with a free "quit coach" or by enrolling online at mass.gov/quitting. 1-800-QUIT-NOW is Massachusetts' tobacco and nicotine Quitline.

The Quitline is open 24 hours each day, seven days a week (except Thanksgiving and Christmas) and experienced coaches are ready to help. They'll share strategies to curb cravings, handle life's big and small stresses, and tackle relapses.

In addition, 1-800-QUIT-NOW has a dedicated Spanish line (1-855-DÉJELO-YA) and interpreter services are available for 200 other languages, so language doesn't need to be a barrier to getting support. And specialized support is available for people who use menthol products, for pregnant people and for people facing mental health challenges.

Thanks for supporting people who use tobacco and nicotine on Nov. 16 and any time. Quitting can take repeated attempts and it all starts by taking the first step. With the help of the Quitline and your support during the Great American Smokeout, anyone can become tobacco and nicotine free, beginning a journey to better health.

See a video about the Massachusetts Quitline below. Visit mass.gov/quitting for more information and to access online or phone support.

Joyce Brewer is program manager a the Berkshire Tobacco-Free Community Partnership at Berkshire Area Health Education Center in Dalton. For more information on the impact of tobacco on your community: 413-842-5160 for jbrewer@berkshireahec.org.

Clarksburg OKs $5.1M Budget; Moves CPA Adoption Forward

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
08:44PM / Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Newly elected Moderator Seth Alexander kept the meeting moving. 

CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The annual town meeting sped through most of the warrant on Wednesday night, swiftly passing a total budget of $5.1 million for fiscal 2025 with no comments. 

 

Close to 70 voters at Clarksburg School also moved adoption of the state's Community Preservation Act to the November ballot after a lot of questions in trying to understand the scope of the act. 

 

The town operating budget is $1,767,759, down $113,995 largely because of debt falling off. Major increases include insurance, utilities and supplies; the addition of a full-time laborer in the Department of Public Works and an additional eight hours a week for the accountant.

 

The school budget is at $2,967,609, up $129,192 or 4 percent over this year. Clarksburg's assessment to the Northern Berkshire Vocational School District is $363,220.

 

Approved was delaying the swearing in of new officers until after town meeting; extending the one-year terms of moderator and tree warden to three years beginning with the 2025 election; switching the licensing of dogs beginning in January and enacting a bylaw ordering dog owners to pick up after their pets. This last was amended to include the words "and wheelchair-bound" after the exemption for owners who are blind. 

 

The town more recently established an Agricultural Committee and on Wednesday approved a right-to-farm bylaw to protect agriculture. 

 

Larry Beach of River Road asked why anyone would be against and what the downside would be. Select Board Chair Robert Norcross said neighbors of farmers can complain about smells and livestock like chickens.