Supporters of anti-vaping push to raise the minimum age for nicotine: "The dependent mind justifies some crazy things"

"The dependent mind justifies some crazy things," Murphy said. The 19-year-old became addicted to nicotine in high school, and what began as a vaping experience turned into an addiction.

"It has snowballed in my neurochemical addiction, without me even knowing it," he said.

His addiction followed him to college: "I would study at the library and I would have to return to the residence by bike every 20 minutes."

Matt Murphy, 19, began to run out of high school and became addicted to nicotine.

CBS News

The use of electronic cigarettes among middle and high school students is increasing sharply. In 2018, nearly five percent (or one in 20) of college students reported trying e-cigarettes in the last 30 days. This represents less than 1% in 2011.

Among high school students, this number rose from 1.5% in 2011 to more than 20% in 2018.

And this kind of jump has doctors and health officials involved.

"Nicotine is one of the most addictive chemicals known to man," said Dr. Sharon Levy. "And we know that some children develop an addiction with a handful of uses.Nicotine can interfere with memory and prevent learning, especially among young people."

Sarah Ryan, an 18-year-old high school student, said she knew very few young people who had not been exposed to this problem, either by themselves or through their parents. friends. "These products are used by children of all ages," she said.

She considers herself an anti-tobacco and anti-tobacco activist, who wants the legal age to buy these products to be 21 years old. "These products should not be part of high school culture," she told Dr. Tara Narula, medical associate of CBS News. "And the 18-year-olds are still in high school, so if the age of buying tobacco was 18, this will have a greater influence on the younger ones. You're not 18, you're 16, you're 18-year-olds, and those 18-year-olds may be using the product. "

Dr. Narula asked, "Why do you think it was so difficult to get this type of legislation passed in the rest of the country?"

"I think there are exactly the same arguments about:" Well, if you are big enough to die for your country, why can not you buy a cigarette, smoke, vape or all you have? Ryan replied.

But that's starting to change. Nine states have passed legislation to raise the age of 21 to the legal age for tobacco and vaping products, as well as hundreds of cities, counties and cities.

The last state to do this is Illinois; Yesterday, Governor J. B. Pritzker signed a bill increasing the limit from 18 to 21.

And on Thursday, MP Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.) Introduced a bill that would make the legal age of 21 years across the country the law to stop teen smoking ( SCOTT law).

Dr. Levy said, "The younger you are when you start using a substance, the more vulnerable you are to addiction, and that's because as the brain grows it becomes a bit more resistant. to the neurological changes associated with addiction. "

Matt Murphy gave up his habit nine months ago and became an anti-nicotine advocate himself. His biggest message to teens who think about vaping? "It is much easier to stop than to stop," he said. "If you never dig a hole, you must never get out of the hole, do not start digging."

Juul, who accounts for about 75% of the US e-cigarette market, told CBS News that he "strongly supports" the 21-year-old age of purchase of tobacco and tobacco products. vaping. .

The company said it would continue to work with lawmakers to reduce youth use rates.