(WWL.com)
The US Surgeon General has declared teen vaping an epidemic as a report says an estimated 2.1 million middle and high school students are using the electronic cigarettes.
Department of Health Assistant State Health Officer, Dr. Joseph Kanter, says just because it’s not a traditional cigarette, doesn’t mean it isn’t terrible for your health, particularly if you’re young.
“They typically do not contain tobacco, but they do contain nicotine, and sometimes in very large quantities. Nicotine can impair learning, attention, and memory, particularly in people 25 and younger.”
10.7 million kids aged 12 to 17 say they’ve tried the cigarette alternative, and Kanter says even worse, two thirds of them were not aware that e-cigs were harmful to their health. Kanter says it took decades to crush teen smoking, and this new trend could see it come back.
“The fear is that with rates of vaping skyrocketing over the past two or three years that we are going to erase those gains that we have seen.”
Kanter says it’s particularly disturbing considering how much leeway vape companies are given in their advertising. He says while traditional cigarettes are banned from promoting in a way that attracts kids, e-cigarette companies are specifically targeting youth.
“Really egregious examples of e-cigarette companies marketing their product to young people. Flavors like bubble gum and lollipop. Very colorful cartoon advertising on packaging.”