By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Visits to 53 stores that sell vaping products in Wood County showed that most shops place e-cigarettes within reach and eye-level of children.
Store audits, sought by the Ohio Department of Health, were recently conducted by Wood County Health Department. Results of the audits were presented last week to the Board of Health by Katlin Medjesky, community outreach coordinator at the county health department.
Medjesky said the promotion of e-cigarette sales can influence the interest in the products. Strategic product placement such as near candy or near the floor can pique interest in children, she said.
The visits to local stores found that:
- Five stores had tobacco/nicotine products within one foot of products marketed toward children such as candy.
- 29 stores had tobacco/nicotine products within three feet of the floor – the eye level of the average 3-year-old.
- 39 stores had outdoor ads for tobacco products.
- 71% of stores had ads within three feet of the floor.
- 39 stores posted age restriction signage.
The minimum age to legally purchase e-cigarettes in Ohio is 21, but placing them in reach and view of children can be tempting. Plus, e-cigs often come in bright colors, and in flavors that appeal to young people, like fruit, candy, menthol, and mint. And vapes are often sold out of vending machines.
Bowling Green City Council is scheduled to vote April 7 on a proposed temporary moratorium on more vape and smoke shops in Bowling Green.
The resolution is intended to curtail the proliferation of vape shops and their potential dangers to the city and its residents. Of particular concern, city officials are aware of numerous reports of underage vaping.
The audit focused on youth and vaping because e-cigarettes are considered by some to be a safe alternative to smoking for youth. But Medjesky noted that the human brain is not done developing until approximately age 25. During the teenage years, the front part of the brain, called the prefrontal cortex, is still developing.
“This is our decision maker,” Medjesky said of the prefrontal cortex.
Nicotine causes changes in brain chemistry, she said. It is a highly addictive substance that alters normal brain function.
According to the most survey of local youth,
- Approximately 1,120 Wood County youth used e-cigarettes/vapes in the past year.
- 9% of youth vaped nicotine in the past 30 days.
- 5% of youth vaped marijuana in the past 30 days.
- 4% of youth vaped just flavoring (without any nicotine or marijuana) in the past 30 days.
While cigarettes come in standard packs of 20, with 22 mg of nicotine, vaping products come in various sizes, some that can be used over a longer period of time, Medjesky said. She gave examples, such as:
- One Juul pod is the equivalent of 27 cigarettes.
- One Flum Float is the equivalent of 363 cigarettes.
- One Elf Bar is the equivalent of 590 cigarettes.
A Google search for vape shops in Bowling Green shows 12 establishments currently in business.
The temporary moratorium being considered by council would allow for time to review information and health data regarding the items sold in these shops. This legislation is sponsored by the Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Committee of BG City Council.
If approved, the moratorium would last one year from its effective date, during which the city will not accept, process or approve any new applications or issue any new permits, licenses, variances or any zoning applications from or for vape/smoke establishments in Bowling Green.
Municipalities have the power to enact planning and zoning laws for the health, safety, welfare, comfort and peace of citizens, including restricting areas used for business and trade.
Vaping trends among youth and its health effects have been studied by at least two entities in Wood County – through the Behavioral Health Barometer among Wood County youth, and by the Wood County Health Department.
In recent years, as public health saw the downward trend of cigarette smoking, it saw a climb in vaping. Smokers reportedly viewed vaping as a way to wean themselves off cigarettes, and others saw it as a safe alternative to cigarettes.
Both viewpoints are risky, according to public health officials.
Vaping remains the most common method of nicotine consumption among adolescents, and seems to have replaced or supplemented the use of cigarettes.
While local vaping has seen a decline among high school students, the rates among college students remain high, according to Beth Peery, director of education and engagement at the Wood County Health Department.
National studies have shown that 75% of college students have tried vaping nicotine, and nearly 25% use it every day, Peery said.
“It’s easier for a younger person to get addicted,” Peery said. “It’s easier to consume more nicotine with vaping since it tastes good.”
Vaping is less conspicuous than cigarettes in public places, plus it’s marketed as “fruity” and “fresh” with flavors like watermelon and cotton candy. Vaping is promoted as chic – and compact, now being the size of a flash drive.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, research suggests vaping is bad for hearts and lungs. Electronic cigarettes aren’t the best smoking cessation tool, since e-cigs are just as addictive as traditional cigarettes – resulting in a whole new generation getting hooked on nicotine.
