Holding an electronic cigarette, Dr. Mary Currier, Public Health Officer, warned Friday against the danger of the device, calling it a nicotine delivery system and other chemicals.

Electronic cigarettes are battery operated devices used to inhale an aerosol that may contain nicotine, flavors and other chemicals, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse.

"Nicotine is very addictive," said Currier, warning against the danger of electronic cigarette use among teens.

About 10% of teens use electronic cigarettes, which may present deceptive flavors such as fresh mint and cotton candy, according to information reported Friday at a press conference at the Attorney General's office.

Juul is the most popular cigarette brand

No one wants their children to be addicted, but Mr. Currier said that's what's happening with kids who can buy electronic cigarettes.

Currier joined Attorney General Jim Hood, Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi, Rankin County Youth Court Judge Tom Broome and others at the news conference.

Hood said he would propose legislation to make electronic cigarettes subject to tobacco laws, which prohibit the sale to minors.

"We will have to crack down," Hood said. "You have to treat them the same way as tobacco."

Mr Hood said that electronic cigarettes were an entryway for young people to tobacco or other pharmaceuticals. He stated that some electronic cigarettes sold in local stores contained fentanyl, an addictive pain reliever. Spice, a synthetic narcotic; and formaldehyde, a dangerous chemical.

One pod equals 200 puffs or roughly a pack of regular cigarettes. Hood said that young people use electronic cigarettes at school and in their rooms. They do not leave the smell of regular cigarette smoke. And some e-cigarette devices may look like a USB flash drive.

Recently, a strain revealed that 75 retail stores of electronic cigarettes were being distributed to minors and that nine of them were mixing their own products to procure electronic cigarettes, Hood said.

In addition to preventing the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors, Mr. Hood stated that he would propose in the Legislature that electronic cigarettes be subject to the additional tax imposed on other tobacco products. . He also wants to prevent the mixing of chemicals contained in e-cigarettes at local retailers unless it is done by an authorized person. No wholesaler can sell electronic cigarettes to retailers unless they have a license.

The AG office is also working on a brochure for parents explaining the dangers of e-cigarettes for teens. Letters will also be sent to school principals regarding the use of electronic cigarettes in minors.

Hood, Currier and others said that electronic cigarettes were initially perceived as helping a 40 year old to wean off traditional cigarettes, not teenagers with an undeveloped brain.

Sandra Shelson, Executive Director of Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi, said that e-cigarettes are marketed to teens and that manufacturers sponsor music festivals and other events that appeal to minors.

"Children have access to this highly addictive product," said Shelson.

Broome said that e-cigarettes lead to unpredictable results for teens, including fainting and hitting their heads.

"I urge the public and the legislature to prevent the spread of this epidemic," Broome said.

Mr. Currier, who is retiring in November, said, "We will deal with it in the future if we do not deal with it now".

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