NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — They’re flavorful. They’re attractive. They give off a cool vibe.
But under those wrappings, vaping is an addictive health hazard that young people may not comprehend.
“It kind of introduces that concept of the quick fix to them, that you can just take a hit off your vape,” said Andy Ottoson, a public health planner with Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. “And it is true, it does address your anxiety, your stress …
“It introduces not only the mind, but also the body physiologically, that when you’re feeling bad, when you’re feeling stressed, there is a way you can get that quick solution, and that can cascade towards other substances and towards other substance-use disorders in addition to nicotine use disorder.”
The Berkshire Tobacco Free Community Partnership Program is hosting a conference on Saturday at the Stationery Factory in Dalton that will look at not only how to deter youth from vaping but listen to them as well.