Dr. Henry Paul, MD

Psychiatrist, Author and Educator

WHO IS KIDDING WHO? FLAVORED TOBACCO IS LURING KIDS TO SMOKE

October 8th, 2015

“Youth who use multiple tobacco products are at higher risk for developing nicotine dependence and might be more likely to continue using tobacco into adulthood.” Center for Disease Control CDC

40494647_sLast week the CDC announced its findings in a new study that looked at flavored tobacco and its influence on teens and smoking. The problem for this age group is the growing usage and the misguided perception that e-cigarettes and other tobacco products are safe alternatives to cigarette smoking. I want to be clear – they’re not!

The CDC says that electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, are battery-powered devices that provide doses of nicotine and other additives to the user in an aerosol.

This new CDC study looked at flavored tobacco and its propensity for enticing young people to smoke. Guess what? Teens and middle schoolers think that because it tastes better or because it is an e-cigarette that it is safer. The CDC says nearly a quarter of high school students and more than 7 percent of middle-schoolers have used some tobacco product.

In a report to NBC News, CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. said, “Flavored tobacco products are enticing a new generation of America’s youth into nicotine addiction, condemning many of them to tobacco-related disease and early death.”

27863721_s“The increased use of e-cigarettes by teens is deeply troubling,” said Frieden in a recent CDC press release. “Nicotine is a highly addictive drug. Many teens who start with e-cigarettes may be condemned to struggling with a lifelong addiction to nicotine and conventional cigarettes.”

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)outlawed the use of flavored cigarettes, other than menthol. E-cigarettes don’t fall under the same regulations. E-cigarettes not marketed for therapeutic purposes are currently unregulated by the FDA. What’s concerning to me and should be of concern to parents as well is that because e-cigarettes are new there is still a lot we don’t know. What I do know is that any product that has tobacco in it is not safe for anyone, especially children. Now more than ever it is important to talk to your kids about the dangers of smoking. Check out the links below with more information about tobacco use and children.

Flavored Tobacco Lures Kids, CDC Says

CDC reveals “alarming” news about teen e-cigarette use

Tobacco Use Among Middle and High School Students — United States, 2011–2014

Youth and Tobacco Use

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this blog is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or psychiatric advice for individual conditions or treatment and does not substitute for a medical or psychiatric examination. A psychiatrist must make a determination about any treatment or prescription. Dr. Paul does not assume any responsibility or risk for the use of any information contained within this blog.