Flavored vapor has replaced the acrid smoke of our parents' cigarettes. Today, preteens and teens are turning to electronic cigarettes, often perceived as less harmful due to their modern design, similar to USB keys, and their flavored liquid cartridges. However, this trend is causing growing concern among health experts, especially regarding the American youth.
According to the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey, 10% of U.S. high school students use e-cigarettes, making them the tobacco product the most used among this age group. Although a decline in consumption among high school students is observed, from 14% in 2022 to 10% in 2023, an increase in the overall use of tobacco products is noted among high school students.
Nearly nine out of ten electronic cigarette consumers (89,4%) opt for flavored versions, with fruity flavors being the most popular, followed by flavors of candies, desserts and other sweets, mint and menthol.
Dr. Kristin Lambert-Jenkins, a pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist at Akron Children's, points out that e-cigarette use typically begins between the ages of 11 and 18. Access to these products can be through various means, including from relatives, friends, or through resellers. Lambert-Jenkins emphasizes the importance for parents to offer healthy activities to their children and to monitor their attendance.
Still for Dr. Kristin Lambert-Jenkins, the consumption of nicotine products is recognized for its harmful effects on health, including the risk of developing lung injury associated with the use of electronic cigarettes or vaping (EVALI), which may occur from the first use. Lambert-Jenkins warns of the dangers of cartridges containing nicotine or cannabis, pointing out that their oily bases are particularly harmful to the lungs.
Broaching the topic of vaping with tweens and teens is crucial, although tricky. Dr Lambert-Jenkins recommends an honest and direct approach, highlighting risks without adopting an accusatory tone. She advises parents to inform themselves and not hesitate to seek help from health professionals or addiction services if necessary.
Finally, for parents who use electronic cigarettes concerned about the influence of their habit on their children, Lambert-Jenkins suggests thinking about stopping vaping, recalling the importance of the role of model at home and the existence many help resources.
When we read this article, we said to ourselves:
- But why do we continue to consider that an electronic cigarette that does not contain an atom of tobacco is part of tobacco products?
- How in such a regulated country do young children access products that are not of their age?
- Why are we talking about oily substances which obviously kill our pulmonary alveoli, when these substances do not exist in electronic cigarettes?
- And finally and above all, why demonize parents who smoke, by asking them to stop vaping in order to set a good example, when the good example is given to the extent that they do not smoke?
We have said it and we will always say it, if you don't smoke don't vape, but if you smoke...then contrary to everything we can think of in the country of tobacco (the USA is the largest producer in the world)…consider vaping as an alternative that will allow you to be independent of killer cigarettes.
Sources: NorthOhioParent.com
