STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) — Officials in Stevens Point are stepping up their campaign against teenagers using electronic cigarettes, also known as “vaping.”
A new city ordinance calls for a $50 fine and possible municipal court appearance if caught with the devices, even if they don’t contain nicotine.
Right now there’s no way for officers to test if an e-cigarette contains nicotine or not. But, school officer liaison Joe Kramer tells WAOW TV the ordinance will make it easier for them to enforce the law, adding the devices can still contain harmful chemicals.
“What’s in some of these products, who knows? That’s the scary part. Kids are putting these things in their bodies and they don’t really know what’s in there, and neither do we,” Kramer said.
He adds that use of E-cigarettes by teens is a problem in Portage County. A new survey shows 26% of teens in the county admit to having tried vaping. The statewide rate is about 13%.
