Page 10 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2020 MIAA Board votes to delay start of High School Fall Sports season to Sept. 14 Hope remains for H.S. fall teams, though state offi cials will have the fi nal say in August By Steve Freker H igh school student-athletes all across Massachusetts who are hoping to get out there and compete in fall sports got a major boost Tuesday. The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Board of Directors voted unanimously (18-0) to accept the MIAA COVID-19 Task Force’s recommendation to push back the start of all fall sports until Monday, Sept. 14. By waiting until mid-September, it would mean fall athletics would not begin until schools are back in session. Most high schools in Massachusetts, including those in Everett, Malden, Revere and Saugus, are scheduled to begin classes between Sept. 1 and Sept. 8. The Sept. 14 start date would also mean that is the date supervised practices and workouts might begin with coaches working with players. Games would not be scheduled or held until at least a week after that date, two weeks or more for football, under the proposal voted on by the Board. Even still, despite the MIAA Board's positive vote, the fate of fall sports still lies with guidelines still to be set and released through Governor Charlie Baker's offi ce by the Mass. Executive Offi ce of Energy and Environmental Aff airs (EEA) as well as guidance from the Mass. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The MIAA's vote represents High school football teams are chomping at the bit waiting to get started, but now will have to wait until at least Sept. 14 to start up. Above, Revere High’s Lucas Barbosa runs for more yards. (Courtesy Photo/ Revere HS Football) positive progress, but the state agencies will announce sometime in early August what fall sports, if any, they determine can safely be played at the high school level. At this time, at least two major fall sports, football and soccer, are listed in a "Level 3" category, under Gov. Baker's phased Reopening Plan. Level 3 sports, under the plan, are designated as "high risk" for potential transmission of COVID-19 and, as stated as present, games would not be allowed at any point of Phase 3 and would be considered for Phase 4. At this time, Gov, Baker has previously announced that Massachusetts remains in Phase 3 and would not advance to Phase 4 (designated "Return to Normal"), until there is a COVID-19 vaccine. For fall sports games to be played this season, a change in that present stance would have to be made and advanced. "It was a truly positive move, but there is still a lot of work to do and a lot of decisions to be made before we get to actually beginning a fall sports season," said Malden Public School Director of Athletics Charlie Conefrey, who is fi rst-year member of the MIAA Board of Directors. Conefrey joined his colleagues in approving the Task Force's recommendation. "Everyone wants to see the student-athletes out there participating and competing in athletics," Conefrey said, "but the safety and health of all involved, students, coaches, staff and families are the number one priority. It would have to be done safely, that is the bottom line." Also in question is whether some fall sports, which are categorized in lower risk levels, such as golf and cross country, might be allowed to be played, while others in the highest risk category, football and soccer particularly, might not be allowed. According to sources, a number of high school athletic directors would be hesitant to allow some sports to go forward and others not allowed. Additionally, there has been a recurrent "I heard that..." rumor the MIAA may be considering flip-flopping fall sports with spring sports seasons for the 2020-21 school year, but this proposition has not been off ered or discussed at all at the MIAA level to date, Fall athletics were originally scheduled to begin for most sports on Aug. 24, with football starting Aug. 21. In addition to the recommendation to delay fall sports, the MIAA Board of Directors also voted to accept two other proposals put forward by the Task Force. The Board agreed to follow any guidelines established by the stste EEA and DESE agencies regarding fall athletics, and to meet again following the release of the guidance to make any further announcements on fall sports. Girls soccer teams are hoping to get out on the fi elds this fall. They all await word from state agencies. (Steve Freker Photo) AG Healey sues disposable e-cigarette company “Puff Bar” A ttorney General Maura Healey has sued online disposable e-cigarette company Puff Bar for illegally selling and delivering fl avored tobacco products to consumers in Massachusetts, in violation of a state law that went into eff ect in November 2019. In a Complaint fi led On July 15 in Suff olk Superior Court, Healey alleges that Puff Bar and Cool Clouds Distribution, Inc. (together “Puff Bar”) violated state laws and regulations by selling fl avored tobacco products to Massachusetts consumers and failing to protect against delivery of these products to minors. “This company’s practices – selling flavored products and delivering products to minors – are plainly illegal under Massachusetts law,” said Healey. “These products are dangerous, addictive and particularly appealing to young people, which is why Massachusetts moved quickly to regulate them. Companies that blatantly violate these laws will face legal action from my offi ce.” Healey’s offi ce is also seeking a preliminary injunction in court to prevent the illegal sale of these products while litigation is ongoing. A hearing on Healey’s motion for a preliminary injunction will be scheduled in Suff olk Superior Court. According to a recent press release from the Offi ce of the Attorney General, its investigation of Puff Bar revealed the company has continued to advertise and sell fl avored tobacco products, specifi cally disposable ecigarettes, to consumers in Massachusetts, in violation of state law. On November 27, 2019, Massachusetts became the fi rst state in the country to ban the sale of fl avored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and e-liquids. The law went fully into eff ect on June 1 – also banning all menthol-flavored tobacco products. AG Healey testifi ed in support of the legislation to ban fl avored tobacco products. Flavored vaping products are popular among young people and they are a reason why many of them start and continue using nicotine vaping products. As the federal government moves to restrict the sale of some fl avored ecigarette products, disposable e-cigarettes – like those sold by Puff Bar – are growing in popularity with young people. Puff Bar’s disposable e-cigarettes are especially attractive to young people because they cost less than other e-cigarettes and they are available in more than 20 fl avors, including “O.M.G.,” which is described on its website as “a triple medley of Orange, Guava, and Mango,” and “Blue Razz,” which is described as “candy… making vaping feel like a blue and red raspberry.” Reportedly, Puff Bar continues to sell fl avors in Massachusetts that appeal to young people, such as “Menthol (Spearmint)” and “Watermelon.” Healey’s offi ce also alleges that Puff Bar does not use a method of mailing, shipping or delivery of these tobacco products that requires the signature of a person who is of the minimum leE-CIGARETTE | SEE PAGE 11
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