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Initially introduced as a safe alternative to traditional fuel cigarettes, e-cigarettes were recognized in 2011. Although health risks are still known, one thing is certain: young people and young adults are the biggest consumers. emerging dilemma.
With the recent hype around the popular JUUL brand of electronic cigarettes, the Region 4 Prevention Center on Drugs and Alcohol Abuse in East Texas would like to offer a brief overview of evidence
Electronic cigarettes are electronic devices that heat liquids to produce steam. The inhalation of vapors exposes a person to various substances, including nicotine. Electronic cigarettes come in many shapes and sizes. While some look like traditional cigarettes, other shapes are more unobtrusive and look like gadget type tools such as laser pens, USB sticks, lipstick and other ordinary items. In addition to its attractive form, "e-liquids" are available in aromas such as mint, cold cucumber and mango. Terms such as "vaping" or "JUUL" are often used to indicate the use of electronic cigarettes.
Eye-catching commercials, smart disguise techniques and easy access make e-cigarettes a predominant substance for young people. Data from the 2017 US National Youth Smoking Survey conducted by the US Food and Drug Administration revealed that 2.1 million high school and college students were using electronic cigarettes. Despite the laws prohibiting the sale to minors, convenience stores across the country have still made distributions. In addition, minors have also circumvented age restrictions by purchasing JUUL products and other brands of electronic cigarettes online with prepaid debit cards.
The use of electronic cigarettes among young people and young adults presents significant risks that could jeopardize the promising future. Nicotine addiction is perhaps one of the biggest risks associated with using the electronic cigarette. The concentration of nicotine in a JUUL capsule is equivalent to the concentration of nicotine found in a pack of cigarettes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nicotine is detrimental to the development of a teenager 's brain and can damage vital parts of the brain that regulate "attention, learning, l? mood and control of impulses. for future dependence on other drugs. In fact, a 2018 report from the National Academy of Medicine revealed that the use of the electronic cigarette increased the likelihood of transition to conventional cigarettes in the future.
Some agencies are working to combat this problem. For example, the FDA has distributed a combination of 1,300 warning letters and financial penalties to online stores and retailers across the country to combat sales of minor electronic cigarettes. As of September 12, 61 warning letters had been sent to stores all over the state, including 11 in northeastern Texas. The FDA has also asked major electronic cigarette manufacturers to submit detailed plans to prevent sales to minors.
The East Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Addiction is committed to reducing substance abuse and drug addiction in 23 counties in East Texas. If you would like to join us in the fight, visit one of our community coalitions (Harrison County, Panola County and Henderson County). Visit our website, Facebook page or call (903) 753-7633 for more details.
A free copy of our 2018 Regional Needs Assessment can be downloaded at www.prcfour.org. The evaluation contains many statistics on psychoactive substance use, health and illnesses in East Texas. For more information on the 2018 assessment or to find out how to contribute to the collection of data that will help Northeast Texas plan its prevention, please contact me at [email protected] .com or at (903) 753-7633.
– Calandra Jones is the Regional Assessor for the East Texas Addictions Council.
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