Despite rising scrutiny on the vaping industry, Fulton vape shops are in support of Gov. Mike Parson's executive order.
The governor signed an executive order Tuesday morning in Jefferson City to kick off the "clear the air" campaign. The campaign directs the Department of Health and Senior Services, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Department of Public Safety to collaborate in developing a statewide campaign designed to educate, warn and deter the use of vaping devices among the youth in Missouri.
"As governor, our future generation is very important to me. Despite the laws currently in place, there has been a rapid increase in vaping among our youth," Parson said. "People across the country are being hospitalized, some even losing their lives, with links to vaping."
Mike Soptick, owner of Darth Vapors in Fulton, commended Parson's campaign. He said it has been the most "fair thing" that any of the states have done in dealing with vaping.
"All of the other states doing the flavor bans, it's just been unreal," Soptick said.
"I think (Parson's) campaign would be much more helpful than some of the bans and things like that because that puts a lot of people out of business," said Liam Sullivan, customer service associate at Koko Vapors in Fulton.
Sullivan emphasized Koko Vapors actively works to keep minors from buying from them or even coming into the store.
"Do I want kids 18 years and under vaping? No," Soptick said.
"I'm somebody who started vaping and smoking when I was 16 and now I'm 20, almost 21, and still have nicotine addiction and still am trying to help other people get off smoking," Sullivan said.
Soptick said he has seen a decline in business recently at Darth Vapors, which he believes is linked to heightened scrutiny toward vaping. Sullivan said while business at Koko Vapors hasn't been affected much, he has noticed an increase of questions and concerns from customers.
Soptick and Sullivan point to black market THC cartridges as the likely culprit behind the vaping-related illnesses and deaths. Sullivan said the lack of regulation has allowed for the creation of "homemade" THC cartridges containing unknown chemicals.
"I know 110 percent for sure that it is the black market cartridges are what's making people sick," Soptick said.
Both stores emphasized the importance of being patient and giving people time to learn for themselves what is and isn't harmful in the vaping industry. Soptick said many vapor liquid companies are in the process of re-branding their products to ensure youth are not targeted.
"Vaping has become unfairly vilified to a degree. The fact (all types of vaping) were lumped together does look very rough. I understand safety is important, but I kind of wish they would have started with the source of the issue first," Sullivan said.
Parson described youth vaping as an "epidemic" during his press conference. Sullivan does not believe it is an epidemic but does believe it is "on the rise" due to how accessible vaping devices have become over the years.
"There are too many kids vaping," Soptick said. "But when I was 12 or 13 years old, I had a pack of cigarettes everyday. I had a best friend with an older brother. If kids want it, they're going to get it."