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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-05-23 Board of Health Minutes�N r Town of Reading �,y Meeting Minutes � r ���IMCOPo�P Board - committee - Commission - Council: Board of Health Date: 2024-05-23 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: Purpose: Open Meeting- Public Hearing Attendees: Members - Present: Time: 7:00 PM Location: Select Board Meeting Room Session: Open Session Version: Final Kerry Dunnell, Joan Wetzel, Kevin Sexton, and Associate Member Geri Cramer Members - Not Present: Paula Curren and Richard Lopez Others Present: Health Director Ade Solarin, Stephen Helfer, Maureen Buzby, Lisa Stevens - Goodnight, Narcissa-Christine Lyons, Jody Roffi, Maddie Bolduc, Daniel Dewar, Erica McNamara, Kate Silbaugh, Mark Gottlieb, Chuck D'Andrea, Nancy Docktor, David Ajemian, John Sasso, Katie Heffemn, Kathleen O'Leary, Anthony Ishak, Chris Haley, Emmy Dove, Aden Huang, Maher Shahrawat, Cythnia Mathieu, Tim Mathieu, Carlo Bacd, Erin Calvo-Bacci, Linda Dockser, Mark Dockser, Sanjay Patel, Amy Luckiewicz, Marilyn Foley, Sunny Patel, and Sal Bramante Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Cassidy Keegan Topics of Discussion: The meeting was held in-person. Call to Order and Motion to Open Meeting Kerry Dunnell takes the chair position on behalf of Richard Lopez. Kerry Dunnell calls the Board of Health Meeting to order at 7:02PM Roll Call: loan Wetzel, Kevin Sexton, Kerry Dunnell, and Geri Cramer. Kerry Dunnell announces that we are being recorded by RCN and KBS TV. Introductory Announcement and Ground Rules This meeting gives opportunity to the community to have their voices heard but the Board will not be responding to any comments. Kerry Dunnell states that we will meet again on June 13th and possibly vote on these proposed amendments to the tobacco regulation. It is not required for the Board to hold a Public Hearing on the proposed amendments, but the Board appreciates having everyone come to together with their thoughts and opinions. Select Board is present with a quorum and Chris Haley calls the Select Board to order seconded by Melissa Murphy. Ground rules are if you want to make a comment please sign in and keep your comment to 3 minutes. The Board is only accepting testimonies that are related to the regulation. Board will not be answering questions or engaging in public comments. Lastly, be considerate of others while they are speaking. Page 1 1 Overview of Amendments to BOH Regulation Restricting Sale of Tobacco Products Kerry Dunnell introduces the topic and reads a segment of the notice that was posted, "prohibition of sales - No person, firm, corporation, establishment, or agency shall sell tobacco or e -cigarette products to anyone born on or after January 1, 2004. Any person, firm, corporation, establishment, or agency who or which shall violate any provisions of this regulation and upon written notification shall be fined and suspended in accordance with the schedule set forth under the Regulation of the Reading Board of Health Restricting the Sale of Tobacco Products." Motion to open Public Hearing moved by Kevin Sexton, Seconded by loan Wetzel. All in Favor 3-0. Public Comment Stephen Helfer, Cambridge, MA states he is not in favor of this policy and follows by saying that this will not affect children but adults only. It prohibits one's rights when they become adults but then argues that young adults are able to get abortions, sex changes and other things. Teen smoking is at a low and teen vaping has declined as well, so he questions - "where is the crisis". Stephen strongly believes this is misdirecting good public health intentions and mentions how we are breaking opioid death records. He encourages the board to look into the facts and not pass this policy. Maureen Buzby, Melrose MA is in favor of this policy. Regional Tobacco Prevention Coordinator, Maureen shares that the boards of health in Massachusetts have led the prevention of tobacco use. She states that she couldn't imagine having someone smoke in schools, restaurants or other locations like how it was done in the past. Tobacco companies are always ahead of us when it comes to creating new products. Nicotine Free Generation Policy starts us in a positive place and new generations won't be tempted to get involved with such a long and difficult addiction. Lisa Stevens -Goodnight is a part of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, who is in favor of this policy. Nearly all tobacco use begins in young adulthood and local boards have spearheaded prevention of tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke. The tobacco industry continues to make discreet tobacco products, and this policy Is a forward -thinking approach - it simplifies enforcement for retailers by just verifying one date. Importantly, those who are already of age don't lose their rights and overtime it will create a new non- smoking generation. Narcissa-Christine Lyons, Reading, MA states she is not in favor of this policy. She feels this is a violation of our freedom and is not the Board's right to take away that freedom. The Board's job Is to provide resources and regulate other health issues. It is the community's right to make these decisions not the Board of Health. Tobacco sales is a large part of cash Flow for retailers, and this will cause residents to go to other towns and take money away from Reading's Tobacco sellers. Jody Roffi, Reading, MA is not in favor of this policy. She states she is not a smoker and recognizes the restrictions against minors have helped a lot, but what she doesn't believe in is that anyone over 21 should not have that freedom. She objects to the Board having the right to take that decision away from adults. She states that next it will be donuts taken away because people who are obese have high blood pressure or diabetes. She believes this will become a slippery slope and thinks we should use our resources to teach minors but not remove the rights for those who will be turning of age to purchase these products. Maddie Bolduc, Melrose, MA is in favor of this policy. Maddie shares a story of when her grandparents used to smoke and states that she was scared of the second-hand smoke she was inhaling when she was in her grandfather's car. She believes by enforcing this policy it will save the future of the youth as well as the environment. Page 1 2 Daniel Dewar, Reading, MA is not in favor of this policy. He used to own Reading Quick Stop and states that this policy doesn't make sense to him because Maureen has done a great job stopping the youth from obtaining these products but now the board is going after the adults. He states that alcohol is advertised to minors just as much as tobacco products are and believes this isn't the best decision. Erica McNamara, Reading, MA is in favor of this policy. She wrote a letter to the board and presents data from the Reading schools based on the tobacco use. Erica shares the resources they use to help stop the use of these products and what measures they take when it comes to addiction. She states that many of the youth don't understand the health risks that come with using these products. The damage to the body is rapid with these products and she witnesses teens misusing these products. Kate Silbaugh, Brookline MA, is in favor of this policy. Once you become an adult you still don't have the right to buy certain products such as lead paint and asbestos, tobacco use has caused more harm than either of these. She states that this is a lucrative business, and this policy (birthday restriction) is the easiest way to manage the wind down for retailers. Not one buyer is lost to a retailer, just no new ones will age into being able to purchase these products. Mark Gottlieb, Cambridge, MA is in favor of this policy. About 10 years ago his colleague wrote a piece about this policy for ending addiction and chronic tobacco use. This does not result In a single customer loss for retailers. This is a policy that overtime will change the gap in age of new adults retrieving these products for minors. This is the beginning of a new wave of public health measures. Chuck D'Andrea, Reading, MA is not in favor of this policy. He states he has been a tobacco salesman for 42 years and knows that cigarettes aren't good for you but it's our right to make this decision. He states marijuana and gambling are bad for you and one day he will walk into the Quick Stop, and they will make you get on the scale to determine if you are able to buy a pack of twinkles. He states that individuals should mind their own business, watch their own house and watch their own kids. Don't take away the rights of 21 -year-old who can get abortions, pay taxes and die. Chuck states he is 65 years old and has never smoked a cigarette or marijuana, but still believes in someone else's rights to engage in those activities. Nancy Docktor, Reading, MA is in favor of this policy. She states that she has taken care of patients that dealt with addictions, and she always told her patients to quit smoking to prevent further complications. Both her parents died of smoking, and they knew it was bad. She applauds the Board for their attempts to stop tobacco use for a new generation of youths. John Sasso, Reading, MA is not in favor of this policy. He states he doesn't smoke and that it Is a dirty habit. He is opposed to unelected officials taking away rights. This is not a rule or regulation the board of health should be implementing. He doesn't agree with rights being taken from young adults when they turn 21. Katie Hefferon, Reading, MA is in favor of this policy. Tobacco is the only product that when used as told, kills you. She agrees this policy is the same as smoke free workplace policy and understands questions and concerns, but this has prevented a lot of minors from using tobacco products. This type of regulation with a birthdate restriction is another step closer to a new generation. Kathleen O'Leary, Reading, MA is in favor of this policy. She is viewing the proposal from the clinical standpoint and shares statistics that suggest that even second-hand smoke can kill. Physically we are born with nicotine receptors and when using these products, we create more. Over time she is seeing more youth triple using all tobacco products and this increases the need for the body and mind to demand nicotine. Page 1 3 Anthony Ishak, Brookline, MA, is in favor of this policy. Tobacco is toxic to our health and the biggest risk factor is tobacco smoking. He states there are many pervasive health conditions caused by tobacco use. This isn't a habit, It's an addiction - tobacco finds ways to target vulnerable people. This is a step in the right direction to create a new generation against tobacco use. Chris Haley, Select Board Member, is not in favor of the policy. He states that he has never smoked a cigarette and presents a video that consists of a young girl making a wish on her birthday that she would like for her aunt to quit smoking so she can make it to her wedding. He states his sister started smoking before she was legally allowed to smoke, and he believes it was his sister's right to smoke but not the Board's right to take away that right from his sister. Emmy Dove, Reading, MA is in favor of the policy. She states that tobacco is the leading cause of deaths and that we don't have the same drive with opioid prevention that we do with tobacco use. She states that tobacco has no redeeming value, and she is in full support of this policy. Aden Huang, Mystic Valley Public Health Youth Coalition, is in favor of the policy. He starts off stating that 31 % of high schoolers reported using electronic vapes. The laws currently set are clearly not working for the youth. Electronic vapes are used as an unhealthy coping mechanism and these devices can be used behind closed doors. Maher Shahrawat, Mystic Valley Public Health Youth Coalition, is in favor of this policy. Vaping has become so normalized it's hard to remember that it is illegal. You walk into the bathroom at these schools and kids are vaping and teachers or supervisors aren't sure how to handle this. This is becoming a domino effect and it's been Illegal for the youth. The laws are clearly not working. She states this new policy will not affect convenience stores and retailers right away. The implementation of this new policy will give retailers time to adapt, and they will not lose any current customers. Cynthia Mathieu, Reading, MA, is not in favor of this policy. It Is unconstitutional to take away someone's rights. She states that alcohol causes multiple deaths, but we aren't doing anything about that. She is a non- smoker and hates smoking, but it is someone's right to make that decision. Tim Mathieu, Reading, MA, is not in favor of this policy. Starts off stating he Is not a smoker, but his concern is the slippery slope. He brings up that people go to New Hampshire to purchase items to avoid paying taxes. People will go to the next town to purchase tobacco products. Tim states that the responsibility lies on the parents, they should make their youth aware of the effects and health concerns of tobacco. Carlo Bacci, Select Board Member, is not in favor of this policy. He states he doesn't smoke and can't stand it but believes this is government overreach. This could be a good step in hindsight but you're taking away rights that shouldn't be taken away. Erin Calvo-Bacci, Reading, MA is not in favor of this policy. States she doesn't smoke or drink, but we should treat all legal adult products the same. We need to be mindful of the steps we are taking and its her body her choice. Mark Dockser, Select Board Member, is in favor of this policy. He commends the board for bringing this forth to the community. He sees this as an opportunity for all towns to come together and work in supporting this policy to ensure uniformity. Linda Snow-Dockser, Reading, MA is in favor of this policy. She thanks all the students and residents for talking about the dangers of tobacco. Liquor can not be sold to minors - drunk driving accidents and fatally went down as a result. The access to vapes and luuls can be hidden, and it is scary because of the damage these products can cause. Page 1 4 Sanjay Patel, Reading, MA is not in favor of this policy. He states he is not a smoker or drinker and not here to promote this situation. This policy discriminates against young adults and doesn't promote equal treatment. Young adults should be able to make these decisions about tobacco use. This policy will drive the market into the ground and put a burden on the law enforcements agencies. He believes this is not the answer and encourages the board to provide more education instead. Tim Mathieu states he was not recognized by the Board and wants to come back to the podium to speak. He states that people from all over have made a great effort to come and speak about this policy, but he hopes that the voices of those from Reading, MA are heard. Adiourn Motion to close Public Hearing moved by Kevin Sexton, Seconded by Joan Wetzel. All in favor 3-0. Time: 8:35PM Page 1 5