By Kevin Boneske
Staff Writer
HOWARD – The village code is being changed in Howard to replace the village’s existing ordinance prohibiting the possession of tobacco by minors with an ordinance that also includes a prohibition on vapor products.
Board members unanimously agreed Monday, April 8, to adopt the new ordinance, which prohibits the possession of tobacco or vapor products by minors, prohibits the possession of tobacco or vapor products on school grounds by any student enrolled in secondary school, regardless of age, and also prohibits the sale of vapor products to minors.
Village Administrator Paul Evert said the Howard-Suamico School District as well as law enforcement asked the village to adopt an ordinance similar to one already adopted in Suamico related to vapor products.
“We’re trying to address the problem of vaping products being used by minors and students who are over 18, but are enrolled in secondary school at the high school,” Evert said. “This has become kind of an enforcement issue, even though state law prohibits the sale or possession of nicotine by minors. Some of the vaping products don’t contain nicotine, so it becomes an issue of how do you enforce it.”
In addition, Evert said some of the vaping products look a lot like USB memory sticks, making it difficult to tell what they are.
Evert said the ordinance he provided to the board for approval is modeled after one passed in Neenah.
“It’s for minors anywhere in the village (and) it’s for any student enrolled in the school district,” he said. “We do have 18 year olds enrolled in the school district. On our school grounds, if you’re an 18-year-old senior, you can’t vape either.”
Minors who purchase/possess or attempt to purchase/possess tobacco or vapor products or use them in a public place would be subject to a civil forfeiture of up to $50, plus costs.
Anyone, regardless of age, enrolled in secondary school who possesses or attempts to possess a tobacco or vapor product on school property would be subject to a civil forfeiture of up to $100, plus costs.
Those providing a vapor product to a minor would be subject to a fine of up to $100.
Those selling vapor products would be required to verify the age of the buyers as being at least 18.
The ordinance takes effect upon publication in The Press Times.