Four arrested in crackdown on underage vape sales

Mar. 13—Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office announced four arrests Wednesday following a crackdown on businesses selling vapes and vaping supplies to underage children. Mississippi law prohibits the sale of vapes and vaping supplies to those under 21.

At a press conference, Sheriff Ward Calhoun said vaping has become a frequent complaint reported to deputies and school resource officers stationed at Lauderdale County schools.

"Taking advantage of Spring Break yesterday, we made the determination to go and do some undercover buys at various locations throughout Lauderdale County," Calhoun said. "Yesterday, we arrested and took to jail four individuals...four adults that were charged with doing this. There was one minor who was working in a store, who was under the age of 18, and because of that, they are charged with the same misdemeanor charged and will be handled in youth court."

Another juvenile present during the busts was charged with possession of vaping products, and that case will also be handled in youth court, Calhoun said.

"We want to send a message that it's against the law in the state of Mississippi that you cannot sell vaping products to someone under the age of 21. The law is very specific. You are supposed to ID individuals you believe are under the age of 27," he said.

Lauderdale County School District Superintendent John-Mark Cain said vaping has become a serious disciplinary and safety concern across the district. In addition to being illegal, he said, many students don't understand what chemicals are in the vapes they are using, some of which pose significant health risks.

"These devices are dangerous. They're dangerous to the health of our students. The discipline numbers we are seeing in our schools continue to rise over the having these devices," Cain said. "Most importantly is the health and safety of our students, so we want to educate but also we want to support our law enforcement doing their job and help them in any way we can."

The Mississippi Attorney General's office provides educational opportunities to retailers about different laws and what regulations are in place concerning age-restricting products such as vapes, Calhoun said. Unfortunately, he said, some businesses choose to ignore those laws and put profits over the health and safety of others.

Lauderdale County deputies have admittedly not focused a lot of time and resources into underage vape sales in the past, Calhoun said, but it is certainly a problem in the community, and these undercover purchases to make sure businesses are following the laws will continue.

"Through the years we've found ourselves not having the time necessarily or not making the time to do it because of other issues in our community, but this is important," he said. "Especially after talking with Dr. Cain. Once he showed me the numbers of young people being disciplined in the schools, some of these kids are 12 and 13."

Vaping is still a relatively new thing, Cain said, and most people aren't fully aware of the issues it can cause. Lauderdale County schools, he said, will continue doing what it does best, which is educating. By sharing information with parents, students and the community, he said the district can help keep its students safe.

Anyone with information about the sale of underage vape products can contact the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office 601-482-9806 or at East Mississippi Crime Stoppers at 855-485-8477.

Contact Thomas Howard at thoward@themeridianstar.com