Oklahoma has a teen vaping problem. More than 20% of Oklahoma high school students report using e-cigarettes in the last 30 days, compared to 10% of teens nationally. That’s not acceptable. Oklahoma’s children deserve better than a lifetime of addiction to nicotine and the health consequences that come with that.

Last year, the Legislature passed a measure to hold youth accountable when they’re caught purchasing, using or possessing tobacco or vape products. The law calls for an educational course, and then fines if the course is not completed. 

It’s time to hold the adults accountable, too. Current law fines the clerk behind the counter for selling to minors but levies no fine against store owners. That should change. Store owners are responsible for training their employees and responsible for what happens in their stores.

This year I authored House Bill 3331 with Sen. Jo Anna Dossett. The bill, which is being considered by the Legislature, would add fines for stores owners in addition to the current fines on clerks. The fines would begin at $250 for the first offense and escalate to $1,000 for the third and subsequent offenses. Repeat offenders could also lose their license to sell tobacco products.

More: Oklahoma ranked No. 3 state for most e-cigarette use, has most residents who vape daily

Vape aerosols contain addictive nicotine and other substances which can lead to irreversible disease and lung damage. The toxic aerosol contains cancer-causing substances, as well as heavy metals like lead and nickel. Nicotine exposure under the age of 25 can damage the developing brain, impacting memory, attention and learning.

Almost 9 out of 10 adults who smoke cigarettes daily say they started before they were 18, so preventing youth from starting is key to tobacco prevention efforts. Flavorful vapes with color packaging and high concentrations of nicotine are Big Tobacco’s way of hooking the next generation of users.

To help store owners, the Oklahoma State Department of Health provides free resources to tobacco retailers and training for employees through their Validate program, all of which is available at ValidateOK.com.

With free training in place, there’s no excuse for any store or employee to sell tobacco or vapes to underage individuals. Still, kids are getting these products from adults, and the adults should be held accountable.

HB 3331 is a step in the right direction. It’s a measure that will protect Oklahoma’s youth from the predatory marketing of Big Tobacco and set our state on a course for better health outcomes in years to come.

Rep. Cynthia Roe is a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives for Oklahoma’s 42nd District.