Mercer County, WV — The Mercer County Commission today announced a $25,000 initiative to address the growing concern of youth vaping in the community. This funding, sourced from a legal settlement with Juul, will support education and enforcement efforts aimed at reducing underage vaping.
The Mercer County Health Department will receive $20,000 to develop and implement a comprehensive youth-focused education campaign. This campaign will highlight the health risks associated with vaping and provide resources to help young people make informed choices.
The Mercer County Sheriff’s Department will receive $5,000 to enhance enforcement of existing laws prohibiting the sale of vaping products to minors. This will include increased monitoring of local businesses and retailers to ensure compliance.
“We are committed to protecting the health and well-being of our young people,” said Commissioner Greg Puckett. “This funding will allow us to educate our youth about the dangers of vaping and hold retailers accountable for complying with the law.”
This initiative was developed in collaboration with a task force comprised of community leaders and stakeholders dedicated to addressing the issue of youth vaping. The task force will continue to monitor the effectiveness of these efforts and make recommendations for future action.