Behind the Counter - Students Examine Youth Access to Tobacco in Owen County

By Kelly Rodamer

Sweet Owen Contributor

From a young age, I learned about the dangers of smoking, drinking and drug use. I was an active — often overeager — participant in my school’s D.A.R.E. program and even lectured family members when they reached for a BIC lighter and a cigarette. As I entered high school and college, the lectures stopped, but my concern for friends who seemed drawn to destructive lifestyles intensified. I became the designated driver, the shoulder to cry on and the confidant as weekend partying began to bleed into weekday cravings. More often than not, accessibility and a desire to fit in led to addiction.

The accessibility and marketing of nicotine products and alcohol have steadily shifted from mature campaigns targeting adult audiences to strategies that increase access among youth and vulnerable adults. Unregulated spaces such as social media, vibrant and youth-oriented advertising, and targeted placement in convenience and grocery stores create visual appeal for harmful products. Through a variety of efforts, the Owen County Drug Prevention Coalition works to reduce and prevent substance abuse among youth and families while educating shop owners and store managers about the dangers of promoting these products to young audiences.

In spring 2025, the Owen County Drug Prevention Coalition was awarded the Kentucky Retail Survey Project Mini-Grant. The grant allowed middle and high school students to visit local businesses to document signage promoting tobacco sales, assess whether required age-verification signage was present, and survey store owners, managers and employees about their knowledge of state laws governing tobacco sales.

Shanna Osborne worked with Sarah Paige Wood, director of the Owen County Drug Prevention Coalition, to oversee the student workers. Osborne advertised the grant opportunity through social media and school announcements and, following an application process, selected eight Owen County students to participate: Macy Blevins, Maison Hedger, Ezekiel Mefford, Judah Mefford, Emileigh Stivers, Kylee Steffen, Hallie Tirey and Addison Wilhoite.

Students completed a two-hour training; distributed toolkits to surveyed retail locations; photographed and documented findings; developed a presentation; and presented their results. Osborne said the students gained more than a paycheck.

“They were able to develop an array of life skills, including resume building, teamwork, communication, leadership, time management, meeting project deadlines and public speaking,” Osborne said.

The focus of the Kentucky Retail Survey Project Mini-Grant is to reduce retail access to tobacco, nicotine and THC products among people younger than 21, increase awareness of the harms of youth substance use, and communicate retail findings to decision-makers and community members to support policy change and prevention efforts. To successfully complete the project, retailers needed to hear directly from students and understand the importance of compliance with state laws.

“There have been a lot of changes in Kentucky law, and many people have questions,” Osborne said. “In the prevention world, we are hopeful licensure requirements will be enforced and access to minors will be reduced.”

Survey results supported those concerns, as several businesses either misunderstood the law or were unaware of recent changes.

During a presentation to the local school board and community members, students reported the following findings:

• Delta-8, kratom, vapes and gummies are being sold at an alarming rate in local retail outlets.

• Most retailers received some training on state and federal tobacco laws and how to refuse underage sales.

• While most retailers displayed external “We ID” signage, not all maintained signage throughout stores or at checkout counters.

• Not all retailers kept tobacco products behind a counter or in locked storage.

Each participating retailer received a Tobacco 21 toolkit that included “We ID” staff buttons, information about state laws and survey findings, and signage for interior and exterior display. Osborne said retail employees were receptive and inquisitive about the surveys and educational materials.

Kylee Steffen, a senior at Owen County High School, said participating in the project gave her a “better understanding of how important it is to follow laws and age restrictions, and the responsibility store employees have” when selling tobacco products.

Brothers Judah and Ezekiel Mefford said they were surprised every retailer they visited displayed signage. They encouraged other youth to get involved with the coalition.

“Students can get involved by learning more about drug prevention, spreading awareness at school and making the choice to stay drug-free,” Judah said.

Ezekiel echoed his brother’s statement, urging peers to attend coalition meetings and learn how to prevent drug use in the community.

The grant is one of many ways the Owen County Drug Prevention Coalition works to reduce substance abuse. The coalition includes 12 sectors: youth, parents, business, media, schools, youth-serving organizations, law enforcement, civic and volunteer organizations, religious and fraternal organizations, health care organizations, state, local and tribal government, and substance abuse organizations.

According to Wood, the coalition meets monthly and focuses on collaborative, community-based prevention efforts. What sets Owen County apart, she said, is the active involvement of the faith-based community.

“By building and maintaining strong relationships with churches, businesses, schools and elected officials, our mission is continuously supported and sustained for future efforts,” Wood said.

The Owen County Drug Prevention Coalition continues to build partnerships and engage the community through grants, events and education initiatives, working toward a safer county one effort at a time.