E-cigarettes have generated enormous attention in part because of their perceived potential to reduce tobacco-related harm by eliminating combusted tobacco major toxic constituents found in conventional cigarette emissions. However, contaminants including diethylene glycol, carbonyl compounds, and toxic metals as well as potentially toxic particles and even carcinogens have been found in e- cigarette vapor. Recent studies demonstrated that more experienced users engaging in more puff intervals have nicotine absorption similar to, and at time even higher, than the one obtained with conventional cigarettes. Nicotine increases risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease by impairing endothelial (lining of blood vessels) function, and increasing pulse rate and blood pressure.
From the beginning, one of regulators’ top concerns about e-cigarettes was that they might encourage the use of tobacco products among children. While cigarette manufacturers have long been banned from using flavored tobacco, partially out of concerns that flavored products might appeal to children, e-cigarettes have no such restriction. Mango. Mint. Cucumber. Fruit Medley. Cherry. Grape. Chocolate. These are just a few of the available e-cigarette flavors I found.
Even though teenagers are unable to legally purchase them, e-cigarettes have surged in popularity among this demographic. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, teens are more likely to use e-cigarettes than traditional cigarettes, and boys are more than twice as likely to use them as girls. More than thirty percent of teens who vape are likely to begin smoking traditional cigarettes within six months, compared to just over eight percent of teens who don’t use e-cigarettes. Let me be clear: e-cigarettes may be healthier than traditional cigarettes, but they are by no means healthy.
Tobacco products and alcohol are banned for minors because the juvenile brain is more susceptible to addiction than a fully developed brain. The human brain can change throughout the entire lifespan, but young brains have more plasticity than old brains. Alcohol and drug use can impact the parts of an adolescent brain that are responsible for motivating and rewarding behavior, potentially setting someone up for a lifetime of addition. The prefrontal cortex, which is located at the front of the frontal lobe, handles reasoning. During the pre-teen years, it grows, but then it is pruned back during adolescence. This can increase a teenager’s impulsiveness, risk-taking behavior, and susceptibility to addiction. This is one of the reasons why it is so important for teenagers to avoid abusing drugs and alcohol.
The FDA has reportedly warned five major e-cigarette manufacturers of potential impending enforcement action to address the “epidemic” of e-cigarette use among teenagers.
