Vaping Trend Among Kids To Be Discussed In Waltham

WALTHAM, MA — The growing trend of vaping among middle- and high school-aged kids will be discussed at a special information session in Waltham Tuesday.

The information session "The Vaping Epidemic: A Panel Discussion" will be at the Waltham High School auditorium from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

"Youth vaping use has become an epidemic in the state of Massachusetts including our city Waltham," reads the RSVP. "We must first understand what these devices are, what is in them, and how we can protect the future of our young people. This event will help us understand the unanswered questions through our panel discussion."

The high school and the Waltham Partnership for Youth are hosting the discussion.

Assistant Director for Alcohol & Other Drug Education and Health Promotion at Springfield College Christine Johnston, Health and Science Director for Waltham Public Schools Heather Metallides, Waltham High School nurse Tara Dygon, Athletic Director for Waltham Public Schools Steve Laforest, Pediatric Emergency Doctor Dr. Ilan Schwartz, of Newton Wellesley Hospital are set to be among panelists. Recent WHS alumnus will also be there to share their story of addiction, as well, according to the invitation.

Gov. Charlie Baker in September declared vaping a public health emergency and halted sales of vaping devices for four months, a ban that has been challenged by vape shops.

The first person to die of a vaping illness in Massachusetts this year was a woman in her 60s in Hampshire County, officials said in early October. A few days later, a Middlesex County woman in her 40s died of a vaping illness, officials said. Both women used nicotine vaping devices. Then earlier this month a third person, a Worcester County man in his 50s who use nicotine and marijuana vaping devices, died, according to authorities.

More than 200 possible vaping illnesses have been reported in Commonwealth, according to health officials. Of those, 21 have been confirmed as illnesses caused by vaping and another 47 were deemed probable cases.

Nationwide, there have been at least 37 vaping-related deaths and 1,888 vaping-related lung illnesses, according to the Center for Disease Control.

Previously on Patch

Massachusetts Bans Vaping Sales Amid Public Health (Sept.)

Judge Rules Vaping Ban Can Stay In Effect — For Now (Oct)

Massachusetts Vape Ban Could Fuel Higher Cigarette .. (Nov)

Third Massachusetts Vaping Death Reported (Nov)

- Additional reporting by Neal McNamara