Framingham Schools And Health Dept. Stand Behind State Vape Ban

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Just a day after Governor Charlie Baker called for a four-month ban on a sale of all vape products in Massachusetts, Framingham Public Schools and the Health Dept. are supporting the ban. The city and school district have been consistent in their hard line against vaping and vape products.

The district sent a letter to parents and families about the dangers of vaping and how parents can help, authored by Framingham Schools Superintendent Robert Tremblay and Director of Public Health Samuel Wong. The letter went in depth about the dangers of vape use, it's affect on the nation and statistics about its presence in the city.

"EVP use among our youth has increased rapidly in the past two years: Current EVP use among our students increased from 16 percent in 2016 to 30 percent in 2018, according to the 2018 MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey," the letter reads, "In addition, 5percent of our high school youth reporting using vaping products daily."

The school district is no stranger to the battle against vaping. At the start of this school year, the high school athletics department released a PSA video featuring real student athletes. Each athlete gave a reason why they chose not to vape. "Be a voice, not an echo," was the phrase the students repeated after they explained why they don't vape.

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.

In the recent letter to parents, the district said they are working to curb vaping at school through a restorative approach. The letter reads in part:

"As we work to address the complexities of vaping with our young people, the Framingham Public Schools continues to identify and implement prevention and intervention strategies and consequences that are restorative rather than punitive ... Genesis Counseling Services, our local substance abuse and addiction specialists, will partner with us to provide psychoeducational support to our students who have been found vaping."

The city has also taken steps to keep vapes out of teen hands, working ahead of the state curve. 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.

The state ban takes effect immediately, lasts through January 25, 2o2o and applies to both flavored and non-flavored products. Baker declared vaping a "public health emergency" and said he will request the ban to the state's Public Health Council.

The ban comes after dozens of cases of respiratory disease associated with vaping were reported to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.