After reading an article in the Press Herald last month about the challenges schools face with vaping, my heart ached (“School districts grapple with vaping in high schools,” Sept. 12).
As a mother of three, I’ve seen firsthand the allure of these flavored tobacco products. It’s heartbreaking to think that companies are using flavors to make these harmful products more appealing to our children. Taking already limited school resources away from where they are needed to monitor bathrooms and other places where students vape is also a serious concern. We all know and have witnessed the health effects of smoking and we are just starting to understand the health effects of vaping.
I urge our legislators to take immediate action and end the sale of flavored tobacco in Maine. A bill to do so is coming before the House of Representatives next year and they have the opportunity to make a change for the better, for our kids. By doing so, we can protect our children from the dangers of nicotine addiction.
I also encourage my fellow parents and community members to reach out to our representatives. Together, we can make a difference.
Dana Appleby
St. John
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