This is a guest opinion column
In Alabama, family comes first. We raise our children to respect the law, take responsibility, and look out for one another. As Sheriff, I took an oath to protect the people of this county, including confronting threats that put our children, our communities, and our future at risk. One of those threats is the growing flood of illegal Chinese-made vape products entering Alabama.
These products are not entering through lawful or transparent channels. Many of the vape products showing up in our communities are manufactured in China and imported into the United States in violation of federal law, then move through deceptive and unlawful supply chains before ending up in local stores. They are marketed with bright colors, candy-style flavors, and youth-oriented branding clearly designed to attract young people. This is not accidental. It is deliberate and designed to bypass safeguards that protect the public…