Emerging tobacco products gaining popularity among youth
Increases in e-cigarette and hookah use show need for increased monitoring and prevention
Though they are illegal for kids under 18 to purchase, emerging tobacco products such as e-cigarettes and hookah cigarettes are quickly gaining popularity among middle- and high-school students, according to a report in this week’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Local schools concur. Chris Powell, Mammoth High School interim principal, reports that several students have been found to be using these products on campus. Because they resemble fancy pens and do not burn, it is a challenge to monitor. School administration reports that some schools are burdened with the problem to an even greater extent.
E Cigarettes have flavors, nicotine and other chemicals suspended in glycerin and propylene glycol. The cigarette emits vapor in much the same way as an asthma inhaler. According to UCSF, even though it is claimed to assist in tobacco cessation, research studies show that the quit rate from tobacco is no greater than for nicotine patches or gum.
In recent presentations to middle and high school parent organizations, Nancy Mahannah, of the Mono County Health Department noted that marketing of these devices resembles ads for cigarettes from the 1950’s – popularity, beauty, social acceptance, less harm. Both Eastern Sierra Unified and Mammoth School Districts have incorporated the products into their tobacco policy, stating that the devices will be considered drug delivery devices when found on campus.
Electronic cigarettes, hookahs, cigars and certain other new types of tobacco products are not currently subject to FDA regulation, though that is in the plan. Mono and Inyo County Health Officer, Rick Johnson, is concerned about tobacco use increasing among youth, “We have worked for 20 years and our smoking rates have declined, lung cancer and heart disease have declined. How instead of smoking, it is ‘vaping’. The tobacco industry is like an amoeba, it keeps morphing its deadly products for financial gain.”
Nancy Mahannah
Health Promotion Division Manager
Thanks,people……still not easy….after 43 years,but it’s do-able now….I can remember FOX NEWS’ own Geraldo Rivera once stating that quitting smoking is “easy to do” for most,even after years of nicotine addiction……and him saying illegal drugs and alcohol are much harder to quit,in fact “impossible” to ever quit craving them totally…..again,not… Read more »
Please do.
BK
The two I’ve gotten are the big steel one called “Tesla”…more for when your at home…the other is called the “E-go starter kit”…more the size of a cigar and able to keep in your pocket when your outside and working…The Testa costs about $75.00…The E-GO starter kit costs around $65.00…I… Read more »
E-cigs are helping smokers quit, these press releases are put out for only one reason “job justification”. The government is worried about any threat to their revenue, the don’t have their hooks in E-cigs yet. If you look at smoking surveys California is the second lowest nationwide smoker percentage behind… Read more »
Never smoked. E-cigs are not really smoking. No tar and ash inhaled into lungs. Also, there is some indication that nicotine may help people with cognitive dysfunctions like Alzheimer’s. I don’t know. I don’t have an opinion on this. But the more you tell the kids not to do something,… Read more »
You make a good point there Ken. But our Madd mothers keep nagging.
Sounds like the kids are pulling the same type of crap we used to.
T, you might be right, but I can’t seem to remember much about HIGH school….
I’ve been a smoker for over 40 years,and recently started using the e-cigarette…..not only is it helping A LOT to cut down from almost a two-pack a day smoking habit to less than 10 cigarettes per day,but also saving me a lot of $$$ by doing so.With myself and many… Read more »
Good for you, Wayne, and good luck!