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Karen Dandurant [email protected] @kdandurant
CONCORD The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has called on young people to use e-cigarettes as an "epidemic" and public health officials are backing the message.
"We hope this statement from the FDA will increase awareness of what we know to be the dangers of e-cigarettes," said Lisa Morris, director of the New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services, Department of Health and Services. of New Hampshire. "We hope that parents, who may have tolerated this, thinking it was a better alternative to smoking, are rethinking that position. We have been worried for a long time about the increase in use by the young people we see. "
The FDA has granted electronic cigarette manufacturers five years to file public health claims proving that their products are safe, but the rapid increase in their use by young people has resulted in 60 days for the same manufacturers to minimize the attractiveness of their product for minors. And they warn retailers of sales to minors and plan to ban the sale of certain products with attractive flavors for young people.
According to Morris, the use of NHDHHS surveys of youth risk behavior shows that 40% of youth reported using or trying e-cigarettes.
"Besides the health risks, the problem with JUUL and other electronic cigarettes is that they are sold in flavors that appeal to young people, such as sweets, chocolates and mint," said Dr. Sai Cherala, Chief of the Population Health Office and Community Services at the NHDHHS. "Most of them have high levels of nicotine and are addictive. We think that the use can lead to the consumption of cigarettes on the road. I think even parents and educators do not really understand the risk. "
Cherala said that one of the precautionary measures for young people is that their brain is still developing.
"We really do not know the long-term impact of using electronic cigarettes," said Cherala.
"We see some use in Grade 9 and increase from Grade 10 to Grade 12," Morris said. "We do not see it stop and we try to identify strategies to fix it. We were very excited to see tobacco use decrease steadily and we are seeing it now. "
According to the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network, Inc., New Hampshire currently ranks 47th in the country for funding tobacco control programs, allocating only 0.8% of the amount recommended by the United States. Centers for Disease Control. They said that 23.8% of NH students use electronic cigarettes, which is considerably higher than the national average of 11.7%.
"The data indicates that younger users of e-cigarettes are at increased risk of starting to smoke and become long-term users of combustible tobacco products," said Mike Rollo, director of government relations for ACS CAN in New Hampshire. "Although the FDA's actions are a step in the right direction to combat this epidemic, every effort must be made – both at the national and national levels – to prevent the launch of e-cigarettes by young people. It is unacceptable that New Hampshire continues to be among the countries most affected by tobacco control program funding, as we know that these programs can help young people avoid this deadly addiction. , including the counter-marketing targeting by the tobacco industry of our youth with advertisements on electronic cigarettes. It's time to act. "
Morris said that the retailers selling the products popped up everywhere and she did not stop saying they were selling directly to children, she said that the fact that they have such appealing flavors is a marvel.
"We know we're seeing an increase," said Morris. "I think the FDA statement is a step in the right direction. This indicates that they understand the risk as they call it the use of epidemic proportions. I hope this will greatly help to increase awareness.
"We urge the FDA to require a pre-market review of all new tobacco products and to prohibit the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, unless these products are used." 39; subject to a thorough preliminary examination. This is essential to prevent another generation of teens from becoming addicted to dangerous tobacco products, "said Chris Hansen, president of the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). ).
The NHDHHS provides services to people looking to stop using tobacco products. Morris said parents and teens could call the stop line at 1-800-QUITNOW (784-8669) or visit www.quitnow.org.
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