'Be A Voice, Not An Echo': Framingham Athletes Against Vaping

FRAMINGHAM, MA — As kids headed back to school this week, the Framingham High School Athletics program wasted no time making sure students started the school year on the right foot with a powerful message about vaping. A video featuring several student athletes was circulated by the school to try to remind students about the dangers of vaping.

"Be a voice, not an echo," was the phrase the students repeated after they explained why they don't vape. Several athletes said main reason they don't vape is to be a role model for other student athletes and their teammates.

Framingham High School started the school year harder on vaping after a survey conducted by students in February showed vaping was pervasive in the school. One of the survey questions asked whether students avoid bathrooms in an effort to avoid seeing students vape — 55.6 percent of Framingham High School students who answered the survey said they often or sometimes avoid the bathroom at their school to avoid seeing vaping.

The city has also taken steps to keep vapes out of teen hands. In April, the Board of Health unanimously voted to create a new regulation that restricts the sale of menthol-flavored tobacco products and vape products.

By January 2020, menthol, mint and wintergreen flavored tobacco products and vape materials will be cleared from the shelves of many convenience stores and gas stations — a controversial decision that brought backlash from the business community. "Banning the flavor of mint or menthol will hurt our business huge," said Barbara Thorier, District manager for Season corner market. But the Board of Health prioritized the youth and the possibility of an epidemic. "I think that this could be ... a strong move for our city to help do something about this epidemic," Vice Chair of the Board of Health, Gillian Carcia said. "I'm concerned about our children in schools."

The latest call to action from the high school to end vaping was shared by several administration members in the district, including Superintendent Robert Tremblay, who tweeted that he wanted the video's influence to travel farther than Framingham.

Watch the video: