“The Massachusetts Medical
Society recognizes the urgency of addressing this public health issue
and supports the Department of Public Health’s decision to require
reporting of illnesses suspected to be caused
by or associated with vaping and e-cigarette use.
“The medical society will continue to back regulations and legislation
that protect our patients, especially children, from the known and
unknown dangers of vaping and e-cigarette use, including advocating for a
state-wide ban on the sale or distribution of
any flavored (including menthol, mint and wintergreen flavors) tobacco
products.
“The medical society has worked alongside the DPH in recent months on
the patient and physician education fronts to expose and share the
dangers of vaping and e-cigarette use. Physicians will now combat this
public health threat with data we believe could be
pivotal in protecting our patients and in identifying causes of the
potentially life-threatening illnesses likely tied to vaping and
e-cigarette use.”
- Dr. Maryanne C. Bombaugh, President, Massachusetts Medical Society
