"Gov. Baker declares 4-month ban on vaping products"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Gov. Charlie Baker on Tuesday announced a four-month ban on the sale of all vaping products in Massachusetts.

Baker made the announcement at a press conference where he said he was declaring a public health emergency in connection with vaping-related lung illnesses. Hundreds of cases of the illness have been reported nationwide and Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel has already ordered all cases to be reported to the Department of Public Health for the next year.

“We as a commonwealth need to pause sales in order for our medical experts to collect more information about what is driving these life-threatening vaping-related illnesses,” Baker said.

The temporary ban will apply to flavored and non-flavored vaping products, Baker said, in retail stores and online. The ban applies to all vaping products and devices, including tobacco and marijuana. It takes effect immediately."

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https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190924/businesses-and-users-react-after-gov-baker-declares-4-month-ban-on-vaping-products

"vaping is 'absolutely rampant'”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"While marketed as an alternative to cigarettes, vaping may not be as safe as originally thought. 

As of Friday, Sept. 6, at least five people have died, and many others have been sickened this summer from a “mysterious lung illness” linked to vaping, underscoring what many health officials have believed and warned about for years. 

More than 450 cases of respiratory illnesses resulting in coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting or fatigue have been reported in 33 states. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these cases could be linked to vaping. For some patients, symptoms developed over a few days. Others say it took weeks. 

The issue is so alarming, it prompted the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to contact health officials at the end of August, asking them to report any health problems they think could be linked to vaping, in an effort to compile enough data to figure out if there’s a big problem."

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https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190906/as-death-toll-climbs-massachusetts-doctors-look-to-link-vaping-to-illnesses

In the News: health officials urge to stop vaping; supplemental spending bill to address PFAS

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"U.S. health officials on Friday again urged people to stop vaping until they figure out why some are coming down with serious breathing illnesses.

Officials have identified about 450 possible cases, including as many as five deaths, in 33 states. The count includes newly reported deaths in California, Indiana and Minnesota.

No single vaping device, liquid or ingredient has been tied to all the illnesses, officials said. Many of the sickened — but not all — were people who said they had been vaping THC, the chemical that gives marijuana its high. Many are teens.

Health officials have only been counting certain lung illnesses in which the person had vaped within three months. Doctors say the illnesses resemble an inhalation injury, with the body apparently reacting to a caustic substance that someone breathed in. Symptoms have included shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain and vomiting."

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https://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20190906/us-health-officials-report-new-vaping-deaths-repeat-warning

"A supplemental spending bill Gov. Charlie Baker plans to file on Friday will include millions of dollars in new money to help cities and towns test for and treat certain chemical contaminants in their drinking water.

The family of chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, have been detected at levels above Department of Environmental Protection guidelines in public water supplies in Ayer, Barnstable, Harvard, Hudson, Mashpee, Middleton, Shirley and Westfield, according to the DEP.

DEP officials said all those communities have taken action to target PFAS, and the department is undergoing a sampling program looking for contamination in areas where PFAS has been found or is known to have been used.

The budget Baker is filing to close the books on fiscal 2019 will propose $8.4 million to test drinking water for PFAS contamination, and another $20 million to support PFAS remediation projects, according to the DEP."

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https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190906/baker-seeking-big-outlay-to-address-water-contaminant

In the News: vaping help for teens; kids day at the Franklin 4th

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Massachusetts is one of nine states participating in a program to help teenagers stop using electronic cigarettes. Some call vaping a health “epidemic” that must be stopped.

Statistics show the phenomenon known as “vaping” is a health problem for teenagers in MetroWest, and a new multi-state program hopes to give them the tools to quit.

Called “My Life, My Quit,” teenagers can text or call a toll-free number, 1-855-891-9989, to get connected with a coach for five sessions of personalized support. Those sessions can be done through live texting, phone or online chat. The goal is to build a plan to quit tobacco and vaping - the term used to describe puffing on electronic cigarettes."

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https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190706/my-life-my-quit-helps-metrowest-teenagers-kick-vaping-habit

Visit My Life My Quit for more info  https://mylifemyquit.com/

Visit My Life My Quit for more info

"With her hair tucked into a white bonnet and gold sequins sparkling on her red, white and blue dress, Georgette Glavin, who turns 4 next week, surveyed the Franklin Town Common from her star-spangled stroller, outfitted with American flags and tinsel.

Minutes later, Georgette, embodying Betsy Ross, held a tiny gold trophy in her hands, as she and her 8-month-old cousin, Caroline Chagnon - tucked into a Statue of Liberty costume fashioned from a green bed sheet - had won first place in the July 4 Children’s Bike parade, sponsored by the Franklin Lions Club. Second place went to Aria Julian while third place was garnered by Amelia Collins.

“What better person to be than Betsy Ross?” asked Georgette’s grandmother, Kim Donahue, explaining the inspiration behind the costumes she helped design. “Now it’s time for Popsicles.”

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https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190706/franklin-pedals-patriotism-at-fourth-of-july-festivities

Groove Doctors performing Friday night at the 4th of July Celebration