TYLER COUNTY – It’s a problem that “may not seem like a big deal,” in the words of one Tyler County lawman, but medical experts claim it comes with health consequences, and for retailers selling to underage patrons, it carries legal ramifications.
Vaping, or e-cigarettes, was the subject of a recent investigation in Precinct 4, according to Constable Anthony Ross, who, along with two other agencies at the state and county level, conducted a sting on businesses selling vaping products to minors.
Last Wednesday, Ross, along with personnel from the state Comptroller’s Office and Donald Calhoon, investigator with the Tyler County District Attorney’s Office, conducted a compliance operation using an underage individual to make purchases at several stores.
Ross said that during the investigation, the underage person successfully bought vape products at two separate stores in Pct. 4 without being asked for an identification or age verification. Selling vape products, or any tobacco products, in the state of Texas to individuals under the age of 21 is a violation of state law.
Ross said that after the buys were confirmed, they contacted the store clerks, and each clerk was identified and informed of the nature of the offense, and citations were issued.
Texas state law states that the sale or provision of cigarettes, e-cigarettes or any tobacco products to an individual under 21 years of age is a Class C misdemeanor and can carry a fine of up to $500.
Ross said that the findings of the investigation were reported to the comptroller’s office for administrative review and potential further action against the stores’ permits.
“This operation was conducted as part of ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with state regulations and to prevent underage access to tobacco and vape products within Tyler County,” Ross said.
Ross said vaping among teens is a problem, and children even younger than teenagers are doing it. “Please speak to your kids and let them know it’s not cool and definitely not healthy,” he said.
According to a report published by MD Anderson in 2025, the marketing of vaping products, which largely appealed to children, created an epidemic of use among teenagers who had never tried regular cigarettes.
Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which the report noted, is highly addictive and damages young, developing brains.
Additionally, in the peer-reviewed article, it states that the aerosol produced by vapes can also have the same toxins found in glue and paint, which could possibly lead to long-term health effects such as heart disease and cancer.
