Dedham Health Board Weighs Nicotine-Free Policy

Board of Health · Meeting of June 9, 2026

DEDHAM — The Dedham Board of Health opened discussion on a possible nicotine-free generation policy and reviewed new teen substance-use survey data. Board member Jessica Katherine Paulus, a cancer epidemiologist, proposed the policy, citing moves already made in Needham and Canton; the board tabled the idea pending more information, with no return date beyond the board's usual July recess. A presenter identified as Mae told the board 94 percent of 72 surveyed parents viewed vaping and tobacco as "wrong or very wrong," versus 72 percent for occasional alcohol use, and shared Metro West Adolescent Health Survey data showing alcohol as Dedham teens' most-used substance.

A board member relayed that statewide opioid overdose deaths fell under 1,000 in 2025, a 27 percent drop from 2024. The board also approved its May 12 minutes with two corrections and adjourned at 6:14 p.m.

In the full story:

• Roll Call and Minutes Approval
• Nicotine-Free Generation Policy
• Health Director's Report
• Public Health Nursing, CareVan Update and New Staff
• 2026 DOSA Parent/Caregiver Survey Results
• Metro West Adolescent Health Survey
• Statewide Opioid Overdose Death Decline
• Adjournment
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,356 words

Source: the Board of Health meeting of June 9, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.