As an educator, I’ve watched the landscape of student well-being shift under new threats. Beyond academic stress and mental health struggles, a sinister challenge has emerged: flavored, disposable vapes. These illegal devices are infiltrating our schools, hooking students and jeopardizing their health and futures. This isn’t a distant issue; it’s a crisis unfolding in our classrooms.
Vape shops and convenience stores are multiplying near schools, churches and community centers, putting these products within arm’s reach of our kids. The numbers are staggering: The CDC’s National Youth Tobacco Survey reveals that 115,000 South Carolina high schoolers, 47%, have used these illicit vapes, with over 21% using them regularly. That’s 7% above the national average. Meanwhile, the FDA, tasked with regulating nicotine products, has utterly failed. Over 11,000 unauthorized vape brands flood store shelves, fueling a $2.4 billion black market.
The consequences are dire. In neighboring states, underage vaping has led to hospitalizations and deaths. The DEA warns of fentanyl-laced vapes crossing our borders, a lethal risk the FDA’s inaction has allowed to fester. Our students are guinea pigs in a public health disaster, lured by cartoon characters and flavors like “gummy bear” while South Carolina pays the price.
While action is needed on the national level, South Carolina’s kids cannot afford for us to wait.
That’s why I strongly support the bipartisan efforts of lawmakers, including the Sumter delegation, who have introduced S.287 in the Senate and H.3782 in the House. These bills protect our youth and create a legal adult market by establishing a vape registry under the Attorney General’s Office, enforced by state and local law enforcement. It’s a straightforward fix to a chaotic problem.
The proposed legislation requires disposable vape manufacturers to certify annually to the state that their products have FDA market approval or are actively seeking it. Once certified, these products would be listed on a public registry, giving retailers and consumers clear guidance on what’s legal to sell and buy. Those who flout the rules, manufacturers and retailers peddling unlisted products would face fines and product seizures. This system cuts through the chaos of the current market and holds violators accountable.
Equally important, the legislation cracks down on predatory marketing aimed at kids, a tactic far too common among vape companies and shops. Under these bills, products sold legally in the state couldn’t bear child-friendly labels like “cotton candy” or “gummy bear,” nor could they feature cartoon characters or other lures designed to hook young users. By stripping away these cynical enticements, we protect our students from being targeted and ensure vaping remains a tool for adults seeking alternatives, not a gateway for youth addiction.
We urgently need to empower our state and local law enforcement with the authority and resources to crack down on this crisis. Without robust enforcement tools, rogue sellers will keep exploiting loopholes, putting profits ahead of our children’s well-being. This isn’t just about limiting access; it’s about shielding South Carolina’s youth from the lifelong damage of unregulated, addictive substances.
We can’t afford to wait. If we don’t act, these vapes will continue to sabotage our students’ focus, health and potential. Passing S.287 and H.3782 is a non-negotiable step to secure their futures and prove that South Carolina values its kids over corporate greed.
Educators, parents and lawmakers must unite. South Carolina can lead the charge against this predatory industry. Our kids’ health, education and our state’s future hang in the balance.
Shawn Ragin is headmaster of Ragin Preparatory Christian Academy and chairman of Sumter School District Board of Trustees, representing Area 5.
