Proposed ordinance would raise fee for underage vaping on school grounds
SHERIDAN — Next week, Sheridan City Council will proceed with the first reading of an ordinance increasing the financial penalty for juveniles vaping tobacco on school grounds.
The penalty could increase as much as 2,900% from the current fee of $25 to a maximum of $750, according to city attorney Brendon Kerns.
The ordinance was requested by Sheridan County School District 2 and should be in effect by early September — just in time for the new school year.
The city’s current penalties for underage vaping are a mere slap on the wrist, according to Kerns. In addition to the minimal fine, students caught vaping are not required to appear in court or perform community service or serve probation. They are guaranteed full expungement of the incident from their criminal records within six months — regardless of whether it is their first or subsequent offense.
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