Ohio: Investigation shows vaping stores are putting e-cigarettes in reach of children

A visit to 53 vape shops in Wood County revealed that many stores place e-cigarettes at children's eye level, making them easier to see and access.[1]The Bowling Green City Council is considering a temporary moratorium on the opening of new vaping establishments to analyze the health impacts of these businesses and review public health data.

Vaping products visible and accessible to children in and outside stores

The analysis, commissioned by the Ohio Department of Health, found that 29 stores had vaping products less than three feet off the ground, or at eye level for a three-year-old. Additionally, five stores had vaping products in close proximity to candy, which could attract the attention of younger children.

The stores were also often equipped with outdoor advertising for vaping products, with 71 % stores located less than one meter above the ground. These findings highlight the importance of how products are presented, and local authorities are concerned about the potential health consequences for children.

A moratorium to address the dangers of vaping among young people

Faced with the proliferation of vape shops and the increasing prevalence of vaping among young people, the Bowling Green City Council is considering a temporary moratorium on the opening of new vaping establishments. The moratorium, which could last one year, would allow for an analysis of the health impact of these businesses, while the ban on the sale of vaping devices to those under 21 does not prevent significant consumption of these devices. Furthermore, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved 27 vaping products, all of which are tobacco or menthol flavored, but thousands of products with many other attractive flavors remain for sale at retailers and online, according to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.[2].

The nicotine in e-cigarettes has concerning effects on young people, whose brains aren't fully developed until age 25. Health authorities are highlighting the dangers of vaping among teenagers, which remains one of the main ways teens consume nicotine in the United States. In addition to their respiratory effects, these products are being singled out for their effects similar to those of traditional tobacco in terms of developing addiction.

Vaping is a high-risk product for developing nicotine addiction in young people

Although vaping may be considered a "safer" alternative to cigarettes for smokers, public health officials warn of its risks for youth. According to data collected in Wood County, approximately 1,120 youth ages 14 to 25 used e-cigarettes in the past year, and 9,133 of them vaped nicotine in the past 30 days. Vaping products, often presented in bright colors and sweet flavors, attract young people and make them susceptible to developing nicotine addiction.

In addition, some packages of these vaping products can deliver total quantities of nicotine equivalent to hundreds of cigarettes, which further increases the risk of addiction.

In Oregon, lawmakers consider banning flavored vaping products to protect children and teens[3]Other states, such as Indiana, are going further and proposing to ban all tobacco and nicotine products for anyone born after 2004.[4].

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[1]McLaughlin Jan, As BG mulls moratorium on new vape shops, local survey shows most shops put e-cigs within reach of kids, BG Independent Media, published March 19, 2025, accessed March 20, 2025

[2]Tobacco-free generation, Ohio: Attorney General Files Lawsuits Against Retailers for Illicit Sale of Vaping Products, published August 2, 2024, accessed March 20, 2025

[3]Tobacco-free generation, Oregon: Lawmakers consider banning flavored vaping products, published March 14, 2025, accessed March 20, 2025

[4]Tobacco-free generation, Indiana Proposes Generational Ban on Tobacco, Nicotine Products, published January 16, 2025, accessed March 20, 2025

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