Updated: March 4, 2021
Originally Published: May 16, 2015
It’s now clear that electronic cigarettes have overtaken traditional cigarettes in popularity among teenagers. A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that teen e-cigarette usage—battery-operated devices that vaporize liquid nicotine for inhalation—has skyrocketed, tripling from 2013 to 2014. Today, 13.4% of high school students and 3.9% of middle schoolers are reported as users.
This surge isn’t surprising when you consider how e-cigarette manufacturers are blatantly courting the youth market. With vibrant colors and enticing flavors like “cherry crush” and “orange creamsicle,” they invite teens to indulge their sweet cravings. “Why stick to boring tobacco flavor when you can enjoy a rainbow of delightful options like Licorice, Gummy Bears, and even Cotton Candy?” reads a quote from an e-cig website. They even market flavors such as Banana Split Sundae and Grandma’s Apple Pie as guilt-free alternatives to calorie-rich snacks.
“Enjoy all these pleasures without the worry of adding calories to your diet,” they claim. But wait—guilt-free? While e-cigarettes may lack tobacco and smoke, they typically do contain addictive nicotine. Dr. Michael Greene, a spokesperson for the CDC, emphasized to NPR, “Nicotine is harmful to kids at any age. Adolescence is a crucial period for brain development, and exposure to nicotine can cause lasting damage, foster addiction, and encourage ongoing tobacco use.”
So why are these products available to our children? Last year, the Food and Drug Administration proposed regulations on e-cigarettes but did not eliminate the fruity and candy flavors, which are already banned in traditional cigarettes out of concern for their appeal to minors. As reported by NPR, the FDA is still deliberating on how strictly to regulate these products. While some argue that e-cigarettes may pose a lower risk than traditional tobacco, others are sounding the alarm.
“The timing of this study could not be more critical,” stated Lila Thompson from the National Heart Association in a comment to NPR. “We must finalize tobacco regulations now. We cannot remain idle while more youths expose themselves to risks of heart disease, stroke, and even premature death.” Those bright colors and sweet names are not harmless.
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In summary, e-cigarettes, with their candy-like flavors and vibrant marketing, are increasingly appealing to teens, raising significant health concerns. While regulations are in discussion, the need for immediate action is evident.
Keyphrase: e-cigarettes and teen health
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