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Home My WebLink About2026-02-26 Board of Health Minutes i own of Norte Andover Board of Health Dr. Patrick Scanlon �/%"%��f /,;%,*,� Michelle Davis, RN Chair& oivn P W cian � � ,,,„/,,,,, � Jennifer A.bo�-�zz' �1 C� Jennifer Moose RN Clerk B,ral Sig . MEETING MINUTES Th u•sda , February 26, 2026 at :00 p.in. Toivn Hall, 120 Mai'n Street,North Andover,MA 018'45 Members Present, Dr. Patrick Scanlon, enn fer Moos, Jennifer A ,-Ezzi, and B,ral Spight Mernbe-s Absent: Michelle Davis Staff Members Present: Brian LaGr,asse, Craig I eCosta, and. Carolyn Lam. 1. CALL TO ORDER—Dr.r. Scanlon called the meeting to order at :01 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3 w APPROVAL OF MEETING M1NJ..TES—Motion made by J. Abou-Ezzi to approve the January 22, 2026 minutes. Seconded by B. Spight. The vote to approve is unanimous, A110TION APPROVED. . NEW BUSINESS—Nicotine-Free Generation Presenters: Maureen Buzby, Tobacco Prevention. Program Manager; and Anthony lshal , Pharmacist The Current Youth Nicotine Crisis • High rates of vap n /nicotine use leading to withdrawal symptoms, anxiety, chemical use violations (sports), and disruption of school environments (looped bathrooms, vape sensors vandal zed/ignored . • Parents are reporting finding vape devices/evidence of purchases, underage access at local stores, and requesting cessation help for addicted children. • Targeted social rnedia advertising TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, lnstagram , new products constantly entering the market(oral nicotine pouches like "Zyn," various forms of"vaping devices). • Oral Nicotine Pouches e. ., zyn have a high nicotine content up to 30mg per pouch, compared to 1 mg per cigarette), leading to quick addiction, withdrawal symptoms during sleep, and reported tissue damage to the mouth. • Devices are being targeted to younger generations, disguised as toys (toy guitars, teddy bears,) or resembling common non-nicotine products (lip gloss, highlighters, pens), contradicting the industry's "harm reduction" claim since youth aren't traditional smokers. • Environmental Hazards: va e devices contain rn lithium batteries, nicotine oil (aerosolized oil mist causing irreversible lung damage), and metal coils with known toxins nickel,. cadmium). The Nicotine-Free Generation PG as a Policy • To ban the sale of nicotine products to anyone born after a certain date. • Historical Context: Modeled after efforts to reduce opium addiction in Formosa over 100 years ago. • Advantages: * Addresses Addiction Source: Cuts off the tobacco 'industry's strategy of addicting lifetime users starting before age 18. * Prevents Black Market: Prevents demand rather than removing an existing product, thus avoiding a black-market issue (unlike alcohol prohibition). * Compassionate Phase-Out.- Allows current addicted users to continue purchasing while providing a long lead time for local retailers to ad'ust their business model (no significant impact on business revenue reported in Brookline),. e The policy was challenged by convenience stores in Brookline but was upheld unanimously by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, confirming it 's a sales restriction and not 'in conflict with state law. Brookline was the first to implement it(2020). Currently, 21 municipalities in Massachusetts have adopted the policy, varying in size from, small towns to larger cities (Brookline,Newton). Board Member Questions/Discussion • Retail Cost and Availability-, Zyn pouches cost $547 and are widely available in convenience stores, gas stations, and mini-i-narts. • Concerns about users traveling to nearby towns (Lawrence, Havel-hill) or New Hampshire. Presenters cited data from cigarette tax increases and total tobacco bans in California (Manhattan Beach, Beverly Mills) showing initial drift but a leveling off of sales,, and no significant cross-border leakage. • Dr. Scanlon expressed a concern that the NFG policy lacks an education component. He advocated for synergy between policy and comprehensive education/cessation programs. • Cessation Resources: The Juul settlement provided Massachusetts with $41 million for education and cessation, highlighting available funds for these efforts. The need for better cessation programs specifically for youth was emphasized. • Next Steps: The presenters are asking for the BOH to consider holding a public hearing to gather community input, 'Including from school administration, on both the policy and the necessary educational components. 5. COMMUNICATIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND DISCUSSIONS General Updates—Brian LaGrasse stated that the ,Health Department is,working on revising the trash regulation. A meeting is scheduled for with the Department of Public Works (DPW) to finalize details and confirm sections that involve DPW responsibilities. A revised copy of the regulation will be distributed to Board members for review after the meeting with DPW and before the formal process begins. Nurse Update—Carolyn Lam: • Pre-orders for next year's flu vaccine have been placed. The department has successfully obtained the state vaccine certificate, allowing them to order state vaccines again. • The department is increasing community programming efforts * Nutrition programming * Choke Saver Classes-, Working with Craig and Brian to coordinate and offer these classes locally. * CPR Classes: These classes continue to be offered. Health Inspector Update—Craig DeCosta: The department aims to offer Choke Saver classes locally. This initiative is intended to provide an alternative way for local restaurants to obtain necessary training/certifications, particularly in light of the new regulations. Rodent and Pest Control Issues BOH Alketing Allinutes 0'212612026 Page 2 of 3 • Downtown Rodent Issues: The department is still actively dealing with significant rodent issues, particularly downtown, with residents continuing to report sightings. Efforts are underway to combat the problem. • Royal Crest Apartments: The department is currently handling a rodent issue at Royal Crest. This community is noted as challenging to deal with due to its size. o A new management company is now in place and has demonstrated a positive, responsive approach, communicating effectively and taking appropriate steps to address the issue. 6. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by J. Moore to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by B. Spight. The vote to adjourn was unanimous, MOTIONAPP ROVED The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:02 p.m. Prepared b .- Jennifier M. Batters by, Health Del-)artlnent Assistant Reviei,t)ed b Y.- All Board o Health Allembers Signed bi).. 000100000"", 00, Jenn'iftr-M,oore, 1001 Date Signed 11000 '.4 V001e, Meet ingM,atei-ials:Agenda;Januaty 22,20,26 Minutes;Nicotine Free Generation(NFG)Presentation Slides and Dios. BOH Alleeting Allinittes 0212612026 Page 31 of 3