In part by Yelena Bagdasaryan, Intern at Kentucky Youth Advocates 

In recent years, the prevalence of youth vaping in Kentucky has surged, becoming a pressing issue for our youth that not only jeopardizes physical health but also poses significant risks to mental well-being. Nicotine use has been proven to amplify feelings of anxiety and depression. Students who use tobacco products (including e-cigarettes, cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco) are more likely to have lower grades. Young people who vape are much more likely to become smokers and are at higher risk for becoming dependent on other substances.  

As schools grapple with the question of how to handle this epidemic, the Kentucky General Assembly is looking for solutions. Among them, House Bill 142 aims to standardize the practices in Kentucky districts when addressing vaping among students, including:

  • Adopting a tobacco and vape-free school policy 
  • Providing tobacco and nicotine education to all students each year 
  • Confiscating vape products that are brought to school
  • Using an escalating response structure when students violate the policy more than once 
  • Collecting and reporting data on tobacco and vaping incidents 

Although this bill works toward addressing the root causes of student behavior, it falls short by including out of school suspension as a discipline option – an action that further isolates students and does nothing to support student cessation.

Take action: Call your state Senator and ask them to remove student suspensions from House Bill 142 before it sees final passage!  

The availability of vaping products has surged, infiltrating communities and placing our youth at risk. As a result, prevention efforts must extend beyond schools to focus on enforcing Tobacco-21 regulations at the point of sale. House Bill 11 represents a crucial step in the right direction, including:  

  • Creating a database of tobacco and nicotine retailers through business records to better understand who sells these products and support appropriate enforcement. 
  • Increasing penalties for retailers that sell products to individuals under 21 years old, with fines of $1,000 for a first offense, $5,000 for a second, and placement in a noncompliance database for subsequent violations within two years.

Enhanced enforcement of the T-21 age requirement serves as a crucial deterrent by limiting underage access to vaping products and curbing the initiation of nicotine addiction among adolescents. However, the efficacy of such measures is dependent on enforcement mechanisms that hold businesses accountable for compliance. And HB 11 can go even further by requiring regular compliance checks on businesses. 

Take action: Call your state representative and ask them to include regular compliance checks for underage tobacco sales and to vote YES for HB 11. 

Businesses play a pivotal role in preventing underage vaping by upholding the T-21 age requirement and implementing strict age verification protocols. Through compliance, businesses can contribute to safeguarding the health and well-being of our youth. 

Finally, as part of a settlement agreement with vape giant JUUL, Kentucky will be awarded funding in increments over the next several years to address the ongoing nicotine crisis across our state. Senate Bill 335 and House Bill 813 both ensure these settlement funds are used to support tobacco prevention and cessation programming. 

Take action: Call your state Senator and Representative and ask them to vote YES on SB 335 and HB 813. 

By addressing the root causes of the vaping crisis and advocating for comprehensive prevention strategies, we can protect our youth from the harmful effects of nicotine addiction for future generations of Kentuckians.