Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-01-15-BOH-min BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING Tuesday, January 15, 7:00 P.M. Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Town Hall Building 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA Board of Health Members in Attendance: Wendy Heiger- Bernays, PhD, Chair, Burt Perlmutter, MD, John J. Flynn, J.D., David S. Geller, M.D, Sharon MacKenzie R.N., CCM, Board of Health Members not in Attendance: Health Division Attendees: Gerard F. Cody, Health Director Linda Rainville, Clerk Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. 1.) Minutes – minutes approved as written 2.) Community Health a.)CHNA Health Community grant Update Grant application for CHNA is due on January 31, 2014. The Health division intends to submit an application based on comments received from the Planning Process. Mr. Cody reported that they received the Smoke Free Multi-Unit Housing Grant from MAPC. Katahdin and Lexington Housing Authority are interested in participating. 3.) Environmental Health a.)Food Inspection Program 1) Pennypackers Food Truck New Permit Mr. Kevin Maguire appeared before the Board to present his plans. After answering some questions the permit was approved by the Board 2) Mr. Zito De Olivera, Manager New Owner Prime Roast Beef & Seafood Mr. Zito DeOlivera, the new owner, appeared with his menu and plan. Not many changes from the previous owner. The Board approved the permit for Prime Roast Beef and Seafood b.)State Sanitary Code Case Review Update c.) Raising the purchase age for tobacco Informational and unregulated nicotine delivery devices from 18 to 21. Presentation D.J.Wilson, MMA Mr. Wilson spoke with the Board regarding raising the purchase age for tobacco products from 18 to 21. Mr. Cody and Mr. Wilson have made some preliminary changes to the Tobacco Regulations based on previous discussions with the BOH; the inclusion of cigar products and e-cigarettes. Mr. Wilson spoke about how the sales of the “flavored, inexpensive” cigars are intended to attract teenagers to this type of tobacco product. The Board spoke with Mr. Wilson and Mr. Cody regarding the process of getting the age of sale raised and the inclusion of products beyond traditional cigarettes. The Board discussed whether the age increase should be accomplished in one step or should be phased over several years. Since nicotine is addictive and is administered in multiple ways to minors and to adults, the BOH focused discussion on prevention of tobacco addiction in minors, recognizing the negative health impacts of tobacco. As a result, the BOH approved the following revision to the current tobacco regulation: Raise the age to purchase tobacco products (nicotine delivery systems) to 21 in one step. 1.Change the Tobacco Product definition to include nicotine delivery systems, which would include E-Cigarettes in the regulations Include Blunts (tobacco product that contains nicotine used to wrap marijuana) in the regulation change. Rather than hold up the revised regulations with additional discussion, the BOH will revisit the following items related to tobacco restrictions at a later date; 1.) Coupons 2.) Self-Serve 3.) Health Care Institutions 4.) Educational Institutions 5.) Minimum Cigar Packaging d.)Medical Marijuana, D.J. Wilson, MMA Update Medical Marijuana was not addressed at this meeting 4.) Emergency Preparedness a.)Health and Medical Coordinating Coalition, (HMCC)Update Mr. Cody reviewed the information with the BOH. Miscellaneous 5.) Old / New Business 6.) Next Meeting Wednesday, February 19, 2014