While society as a whole has been making great progress with the decline in use of tobacco, the Oxford Police Department wants to make citizens aware of the increased use of vaping among youth and young adults and the risks associated with it.
A vape pen or electronic cigarette can sometimes be a tube shape, looking just like a traditional cigarette and is obvious to spot. Other times they are harder to identify and can be smaller and rectangular in shape, similar to a USB drive.
The legal age for purchase and use of a vape or e-cig is 18 years old. Underage people are getting them by buying them from older students, ordering them online through illegitimate providers, or using fake identification at retailers.
These devices can contain nicotine, oils, and different forms of cannabis, but all contain harmful chemicals. There is also high risk in obtaining e-cig juice from non-legitimate providers that have a risk of containing harmful or illegal substances. We are noticing an increase in the use of narcotic substances in these devices.
The health risks associated with these devices are addiction to nicotine, leading to use of other nicotine products, spread of germs through sharing devices, harmful chemicals and materials inhaled leading to higher risk of cancer, and injuries form battery fires and explosion. There are also chemicals found in 75% of e-cigarette brands that can lead to lung problems including COPD.
It is illegal to purchase these devices if you are under 18, and in the state of Mississippi any narcotic type substance is prohibited. Please talk to your young adults about the potential dangers and health consequences of vaping. 
1 thought on “Oxford Police Department Release PSA on Underage Vaping”