If tobacco consumption has decreased in the state of Minnesota in the United States, the use of e-cigarettes is increasing rapidly, especially among young people. This trend worries the state health department for which nicotine is a serious threat.
NICOTINE: « A SERIOUS THREAT TO THE HEALTH OF YOUNG AND PREGNANT WOMEN«
The Minnesota Department of Health has once again released its advisory regarding the health effects of nicotine. The purpose of this communication was to inform parents and doctors of the dangers of nicotine for children, adolescents and pregnant women.
Although tobacco use is declining, personal vaporizer use continues to increase among young people. A 2016 Minnesota college student survey found that college students used e-cigarettes twice as much as tobacco use. In fact, 17% of students say they have used an electronic cigarette in the past 30 days.
« After reaching historic levels of youth smoking, it is disturbing to note a resurgence of nicotine use among young people in a new guise, electronic cigarettes." , said Ed Ehlinger, Health Commissioner of Minnesota. " It is imperative that parents and the health community be aware of the dangers that nicotine poses to adolescent health because it is far more dangerous than many may think."
The Health Advisory based on the latest research on the health risks of nicotine reflects above all the controversial Surgeon General. The report says nicotine exposure can interfere with brain development during adolescence and poses a serious health risk in young people.
« With the rapid increase in the use and growing popularity of e-cigarettes among young people, we are taking action to educate the public about the health risks of nicotine“Said Ehlinger. " It is not harmless to our teenagers, many of our children who use e-cigarettes today could end up being the smokers of tomorrow »
The Advisory also warns pregnant women about the use of nicotine. The Surgeon General had concluded that the use of products containing nicotine was dangerous for pregnant women and unborn children. Fetal exposure to nicotine can have a variety of negative long-term consequences.
Communities across the state are taking action to protect young people from the harms of nicotine. More than half of the state is now covered by policies restricting the use of electronic cigarettes.
