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Kittitas (pronounced 'KITT-i-tass') County is located in central Washington State. It spans from the lush forested Cascade Mountains to the upper Yakima River Valley plains and the Columbia River.
Kittitas County, WA - 07/23/2015 - The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) is working to assess the issue of electronic cigarettes/vaping in our County. Part of the assessment included compliance checks with retailers to see if minors are able to purchase electronic cigarettes illegally.
We know that a high percentage of our youth are using electronic cigarettes. According to the Healthy Youth Survey (HYS), thirty-three percent of Kittitas County high school seniors reported using an electronic cigarette within the past thirty days. That number is twice the rate of students who reported smoking a cigarette within thirty days (twelve percent). And the electronic cigarette use rate is higher than the Washington State average as well (twenty-three percent). Ninety-five percent of the retailers passed the compliance checks that were conducted on July 14, 2015. That means that ninety-five percent of retailers did not sell an electronic cigarette/vaping device to a minor; Out of 21 retailers, one location sold to a minor. Almost all of the retailers asked for identification and then submitted the birthdate information into the register. “Years of tobacco prevention and control work likely contributed to most retailers not selling these products to minors,” states Public Health Administrator Robin Read. “Retailers who have their own internal policies to input birthdate information into registers are less likely to make mathematical errors and illegally sell to youth.” Next steps will be to conduct an assessment of local businesses to determine whether the use of electronic cigarettes in public places has become an issue for establishments like bars and restaurants. Unlike tobacco products, electronic cigarettes are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which means e-cigarette companies can use product flavoring and advertising to specifically target and attract youth. According to the FDA, consumers do not know the potential risks of use or how much nicotine or other chemicals are being inhaled. KCPHD will continue to research the issue, compile data collected, and make recommendations to local policymakers. For more information about electronic cigarette compliance checks, please contact the Kittitas County Public Health Department at 509-962-7515.
Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us
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Contact: Kasey Knutson, Public Information Officer, 509-962-7515