Proposed bill would allow AG to investigate, prosecute distributors of illegal vape products

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - A proposed bill aims to crack down on illegal vape products, especially those that target minors.

"Currently one in four minors in Oklahoma are vaping,” Rep. Jon Echols, R-OKC, said.

It’s a new push to prevent illegal vape products from making it into the market or in the hands of minors. Echols proposed the bill that would allow the Oklahoma Attorney General’s office to investigate and prosecute people who are distributing illegal vape items.

"What this is not doing is saying adult, especially if you stop smoking that for vaping,” Echols said. "That's great. That's wonderful."

While the ABLE Commission is currently overseeing the issue, Echols said it makes more sense to move oversight to the AG’s office because they have more resources and funding to investigate.

"We have these illegal products that, frankly, you can buy at gas stations right now,” he said.

"Your phone scan,” Vape store owner Jesse Jackson said as he showed KFOR a way to verify his products authenticity. “This pops up. You touch it. It's going to ask if you're old enough. Verified, authentic.”

Jackson has owned his vape shop off NW 23rd Street for over a decade now. He uses phones to scan the box his products come in to help verify their authenticity. However, he still said he has gotten bad batches before.

“Wholesalers, they make the mistake by not checking them,” he said. “Sometimes they go for a cheaper price because they say wholesale, so they buy in bulk."

He said he’s had to throw some away before. As for the products without the QR code, he said it’s essential to stay vigilant on who you buy from.

"I buy in town,” he said. “I make sure all my wholesalers here go right here."

He said he also checks IDs at the counter in an effort to keep them away from minors.

"I would prefer you use legal vapes as opposed to cigarettes,” Echols said. “I mean, if that's the option, that's what I would want. I prefer minors use neither and things that target those minors."

The bill passed out of committee unanimously. You can follow the bill as it goes through the legislature here.