Youth vaping increases in Alachua County

Alachua County teens using electronic vapes has increased about 60 percent in the last two years, according to a Florida Department of Health study.

The 2018 Florida Youth Tobacco Survey released data that showed 15.1 percent of youth, from ages 11 to 17, use an electronic vape. In 2016, only 9.5 percent were using.

The Food and Drug Administration and U.S. surgeon general's office have recognized youth electronic cigarette use as an epidemic throughout the country, said Ryan McGuire, a Florida Department of Health spokesperson.

“Prevalence has been sharply increasing and should be addressed in Alachua County,” he said.

Victoria Gibney, chair of Tobacco Free Alachua, said JUUL, a popular e-cigarette and vaping product, accounts for the majority of vaping use and contains more nicotine than a pack of cigarettes.

Tobacco Free Alachua is a local partnership of residents whose goal is to protect the community from harmful effects of tobacco, Gibney said.

“E-cigarette and vaping companies are taking plays straight out of Big Tobacco’s playbook,” she said. “Data shows that half of underage users are getting it from social sources such as friends, peers, older siblings, etc.”

The organization is bringing the Tobacco 21 movement to the county to combat the growing number, Gibney said. The movement aims to increase the age requirement to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21.

She said this would make it more difficult for underage tobacco users to get it from 18-year-old students.

Sharon Raymond, a manager at local vape shop Escape 2 Vape at 7327 NW 4th Blvd., says that while they ask for identification from customers, minors can still get vapes from gas stations or ordering online.

“Gas stations are really lax on carding and anyone can easily enter a fake birthday when they order online,” Raymond said.

In partnership with Missy Daniels, the interim director at Alachua County Growth Management, a model law to increase the age requirement has been created and will be further discussed at a Jan. 22 meeting, Daniels said.

Correction: This article was updated to reflect the correct spelling of Sharon Raymond's name. The Alligator previously reported differently. 

This Tuesday, April 10, 2018 file photo shows vaping devices, including a Juul, center, that were confiscated from students at a high school in Marshfield, Mass. On Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, San Francisco-based Juul Labs Inc. announced it had stopped filling orders for its mango, fruit, creme and cucumber pods but not menthol and mint. It will sell all flavors through its website and limit sales to those 21 and older. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)