City Council votes to consider creation of youth activities as a result of Tobacco 21
Kent City Council agreed to consider preventative measures for teenagers ages 14 to 18 who are looking for experimental outlets because of the Tobacco 21 ban.
The ordinance passed July 2018 increasing the age restriction on purchasing tobacco products from 18 to 21 years of age.
Councilman John Kuhar argued Wednesday the ban on the products could potentially drive teenagers to experiment with drugs, furthering the opioid epidemic.
“The worry is that with the opioid epidemic going on that, you know, kids might turn to that type of a thing to experiment with,” Kuhar said.
In Ohio, there were 5,232 reported overdose deaths in a 12-month period that ended on June 31, 2018, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The issue has been brought up multiple times by concerned citizens, said Kuhar.
“Kids will try anything,” Kuhar said about teenagers feeling pressured at a young age to fit in.
“The mind of the 2018 young person is significantly different than when I was in school,” Councilman Roger Sidoti said.
The concern is with the ban on tobacco products until the age of 21, the numbers of teen opioid users will increase because with city programming or not, there’s still a risk adolescents will fall to temptation, council members discussed in the fire station basement of 320 S. Depeyster St.
“This is a preventative measure,” Kuhar said.
A measure that appears to be necessary with a problem that only seems to worsen.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) opioid usage amongst eighth to 12 graders increased significantly, with 40 percent of high school seniors admitting to heroin use, though it’s unclear if the increases are related to T21 bans nationwide.
Initially, the vote was met with some pushback from various members stating youth centers are already in place throughout the city; however, Kuhar’s concern is what activities the city has in place to occupy the kids from turning to drugs.
“We need some type of a youth center that the kids can go to expel their energies rather than going to the neighborhood drug,” he said. “The intent was not to build something new for the youths, it was to put together a programming with what we have.”
Kuhar said in his 10 years on the council, the “youths needed a place to go,” is one part of the issue and drugs being the other. Further suggesting programs should be put in place to keep the youth away from drugs.
“It could even be a software workshop, we just need to figure out what we can do to occupy time to make a positive experience,” said Kuhar.
Council members passed T21 after learning the health risks associated with tobacco and vapes, with a 76 percent vote, and interviews with 250 Kent committee members.
The ordinance is enforced by the use of spot checks. Penalties fall on vendors that sell the tobacco related item and not on the purchaser. Now the focus has shifted to the kids.
“I do agree most especially with the prospect of giving kids something alternative to do, and I think that’s something that stands on its own action,” Councilman Robin Turner said.
.Tobacco 21 is still having effects on the community. Kent city council might be implementing youth activities and programs to keep kids away from drugs. Read all about it in my new story with @ashleyeatorres which will be linked in my next tweet!
— Lyric Aquino (@laquinoprof) September 21, 2018
Are youths negatively impacted by tobacco 21? How does it impact the opioid epidemic? #Kent #citycouncilmeeting
— Ashley Torres (@ashleyeatorres) September 20, 2018
Tobacco 21 is causing issues within the younger Kent community. Preventative measures may be made in order to prevent young kids from trying harder substances than nicotine or vapor.
— Lyric Aquino (@laquinoprof) September 20, 2018
Contact Ashley Torres at atorres3@kent.edu and Lyric Aquino at laquino@kent.edu
Ashley: Body copy, Interview, Tweet
Lyric: Body copy, Tweet, Pictures, Interview
