State officials are alarmed at the results of a student survey that found the use of e-cigarettes rapidly on the rise, including by 8th graders.
Gov. Tim Walz today recalled a conversation with his 12-year-old son, who told him he knows what vaping is and even how to get ahold of products. Plymouth District school nurse Sue Nokleby says even 2nd graders are just as aware.
"There's a lot of kids who would never smoke that do vape," she said.
Minnesota is taking action after results of the latest statewide student survey show the number of 8th graders who have vaped in the last 30 days nearly doubled to over 11 percent from 2016. The self-reported data showed 1 in 4 high school juniors had done the same, a 54 percent increase. Three quarters of 8th, 9th and 11th graders reported acquiring products through friends.
While it shows conventional cigarette use has declined, health officials are concerned that three-fourths think e-cigarettes aren't harmful.
"Nearly all of of these products contain nicotine and highly-concentrated nicotine at that," State Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said. "Nicotine is highly addictive and can clearly harm not only educational outcomes, but brain development and health as teens grow."
Malcolm says one person has died in Minnesota and there are more than 50 confirmed and probable cases of severe lung injuries due to vaping. The cases are increasing.
Both Malcolm and Walz blame Big Tobacco.
"This is clearly meant to addict our children," he said. "It's surely meant to make a buck. I'm not going to play the games that you have the freedom of free markets to be able to do that. You do not have the freedom to hurt our children and lie to our people."
Walz does not have the power to declare a public health emergency like officials in Michigan and Massachusetts have done over vaping injuries. He says he supports raising the age to purchase tobacco products to 21 and banning the sale of flavored tobacco products, and there is precedent. Michigan Wednesday became the first state to ban the sales of flavored products. 18 states have passed tobacco 21 laws, just like dozens of local Minnesota municipalities.
State officials are working on increasing educational outreach around schools and for parents about the risks of vaping.