We want to know why, and more importantly how to reverse this disturbing trend. This mission brought me to two Florida cities—Oviedo and Sarasota—this week, where I met with education leaders, law enforcement officers and concerned parents.
According to a FDOH study, more than 28 percent of students in Sarasota County and Seminole County use e-cigarettes—slightly higher than the state average. Shockingly, people I spoke to believe the rate is much higher.
This is extremely concerning because, according to the Centers for Disease Control, juvenile nicotine exposure can harm brain development in ways that may affect the health and mental health of youth.
To stop this trend and protect our kids, we need to find out how minors are getting their hands on these products. It’s illegal under Florida law to sell these products to anyone under 18, yet vaping among minors is out of control.As your Attorney General, I am dedicated to protecting all Floridians, but especially the most vulnerable among us. While vaping may be a useful tool to help adults stop smoking traditional cigarettes, kids may have no idea of the risks involved. In fact, two out of three high school students do not know that the products contain nicotine.
As a mother, I want to ensure all our children have an opportunity to grow and learn in a safe, healthy environment. That is why, I want to encourage parents to talk to their kids about the risks associated with children vaping.
This is just one way, working together, we will build a stronger, safer Florida.
In The News
AG Ashley Moody on Mission to Combat Teen Vaping, Bay News 9
Attorney General looks toward education to solve vaping issue among youth, Herald Tribune
Moody takes on teen vaping epidemic in Sarasota, WTVT
Florida Attorney General says teen vaping is skyrocketing, ABC Action News
PCSO: 3 defraud business after scrap and resale of dumpsters, The Ledger
Protecting Floridians
CONSUMER ALERT: Avoid Moving Scams This Summer
Summer is the most popular time of year to move, and Attorney General Ashley Moody is issuing a Consumer Alert to help Floridians avoid scams during this busy moving season. A common moving scam involves companies agreeing to a price for service, loading a consumer’s personal belongings and then demanding more money before delivering the property. Sometimes this tactic involves charging additional fees supposedly based on the weight or volume of property moved or other factors not previously disclosed.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Moving can be a stressful experience. Scammers know this and exploit an already tense situation to coerce consumers into paying increased costs or fees just to get through the process or to have their possessions safely returned. Before moving, do your research and take steps to ensure you do not fall victim to disreputable household movers.” Read More
Defendant Sentenced to 40 years in Smash-and-Dash Gun Store Burglary Case
Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution announced a 40-year prison sentence for a defendant found guilty of a gun store burglary. James Moore previously entered an open plea to burglary of a structure while using a vehicle as an instrument and 35 counts of grand theft of a firearm. Moore is one of a larger group based in Orlando, using stolen vehicles to facilitate several types of smash-and-dash burglaries. The 20-member group stole from department and retail stores to steal guns, jewelry, electronics, sporting goods and more. Thursday, Judge Frances Perrone sentenced Moore to 40 years in prison.Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “These criminals deliberately wrecked a Tampa store to steal firearms. Not only did they steal property, they also stole a sense of security from the surrounding neighborhood. I applaud the great work of my Office of Statewide Prosecution securing this strong prison sentence and continuing to seek prison time for the remaining defendants. Read More
Events
This week, Attorney General Ashley Moody continued her fact-gathering mission on the dramatic increase of teen vaping in Ovideo and Sarasota. Attorney General Moody spoke with local law enforcement and school officials to discover how teens are getting a hold of these products and what steps can be taken to reverse this alarming trend.
Attorney General Moody speaking to reporters in Oviedo along with Seminole County Superintendent Walt Griffin, Florida State Senator Debbie Mayfield, 18th Circuit State Attorney Phil Archer and Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma.
Attorney General Moody with former Florida Senator Lisa Carlton and Sarasota County Schools Superintendent Dr. Todd Bowden following the Attorney General’s discussion on teen vaping with local law enforcement, school officials and concerned parents at Riverview High School in Sarasota.
Attorney General Moody being interviewed by News Service of Florida reporter Tom Urban about moving scams and what the Florida Attorney General’s Office is doing to protect Floridians from unethical household movers.
Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Cynthia Honick being named the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Prosecutor of the Year. Attorney General Moody congratulates Cynthia for saving the state hundreds of thousands of dollars by stopping the fraudulent purchase of lobster tags.
Attorney General Moody congratulating Office of the Attorney General Law Clerk Chad Revis for being invited to join the Florida State University Law Review!
