OXFORD — Lafayette County has adopted a local ordinance to stop people age 18 and younger from buying caffeine pills and powders.
The Oxford Eagle reports the board of supervisors approved the ordinance this week. It takes effect Sept. 1.
County attorney David O’Donnell said the ordinance tracks a bill considered by lawmakers in 2014 to restrict the sale of caffeine pills to minors containing more than 25 percent caffeine. Lawmakers failed to pass the bill but supporters hope to get it back before lawmakers in the 2016 session.
O’Donnell said under the ordinance a first offense would be a $50 fine, followed by a $75 for a second offense and a $150 fine for subsequent violations.
He said Yalobusha County and Water Valley have similar ordinances.
The ordinance is named for Water Valley teen Noah Smith who died of an accidental overdose in September of 2014 caused by caffeine pills and powders.
The attorney general’s office offered a nonbinding opinion earlier this year that counties and municipalities can pass their own ordinances banning the sale of the caffeine products to minors.
O’Donnell said businesses would receive notification and be required to place a placard in their store notifying customers of the ordinance and the penalties for violations.
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