A local law enforcement official says underage vaping continues to be an issue in the city of Jefferson.

Police Chief Mark Clouse tells Raccoon Valley Radio their department is getting lots of calls to the school buildings in the community where officers have found vaping devices on students, along with finding them during traffic stops, whenever officers are called to locations for other reasons and see vaping devices present, among other situations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vaping products are the most commonly used item among US youth. 

Clouse describes how kids are mostly getting their hands on vaping products is the same with alcohol and youth.

“Before you’re at a drinking (alcohol) age, if you have the right contacts, if you know the right people, you can always have access to alcohol products, this (vaping) is really no different here. It’s obviously of age (to purchase vaping products) people that are providing these (and) sometimes we learn that it’s parents. You know, they’re fine with their child vaping and they’re providing that. If there’s a want, there’s a will, unfortunately.”      

Clouse points out another danger with vaping that can get kids addicted to that habit.

“The flavors that are available in vape shops and some of the bigger establishments, are (a) real draw to young people. There are all different kinds of berries, and melons, cotton candies, and different flavors, they are very attractive to young people. And when they’re using that device, yes they’re getting doses and doses of nicotine, which is the addictive component of that.”     

Clouse adds that Officer Mark Wolterman spends quite a bit of time through the DARE program with fifth graders about vaping and the health issues that it can cause. He urges families to talk about the negative impacts that vaping can have on people and work on ways to avoid falling into that addictive trap.