Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States. Based on 2019 data, about 34 million US adults smoke cigarettes. Every day, about 1,600 young people under age 18 years smoke their first cigarette, and 235 begin smoking cigarettes daily. Over 16 million people live with at least one disease caused by smoking, and 58 million nonsmoking Americans are exposed to secondhand smoke. Smoking leads to disease and disability and harms nearly every organ of the body. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/health_effects/index.htm
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is at the forefront of the nation’s efforts to reduce deaths and prevent chronic diseases that result from tobacco use. The agency and its partners promote tobacco control interventions, including actions to prevent youth from starting to use tobacco, smoke-free environments, programs to help tobacco users quit, and steps to eliminate tobacco-related health disparities in different population groups. For more information please visit the CDC Smoking and Tobacco Use Link: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/about/osh/index.htm
E-cigarettes are sometimes called “e-cigs,” “vapes,” “e-hookahs,” “vape pens,” and “electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).” Some e-cigarettes look like regular cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Some look like USB flash drives, pens, and other everyday items. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/index.htm
Risks of E-cigarettes for kids, teens, and young adults: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/Quick-Facts-on-the-Risks-of-E-cigarettes-for-Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults.html
- The use of e-cigarettes is unsafe for kids, teens, and young adults.
- Most e-cigarettes (vapes) contain nicotine – the addictive drug in regular cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products
- Nicotine is highly addictive and can harm adolescent brain development, which continues into the early to mid-20s.1
- E-cigarettes can contain other harmful substances besides nicotine.
- Young people who use e-cigarettes may be more likely to smoke cigarettes in the future.
- Scientists are still learning about the long-term health effects of e-cigarettes.
- Some of the ingredients in e-cigarette aerosol could also be harmful to the lungs in the long-term. For example, some e-cigarette flavorings may be safe to eat but not to inhale because the gut can process more substances than the lungs.1
- Defective e-cigarette batteries have caused some fires and explosions, a few of which have resulted in serious injuries.
- Children and adults have been poisoned by swallowing, breathing, or absorbing e-cigarette liquid through their skin or eyes. Nationally, approximately 50% of calls to poison control centers for e-cigarettes are for kids 5 years of age or younger.
§ 22.1-273.3. Parent educational information regarding tobacco and nicotine vapor products. Each school board shall annually provide educational information to parents of pupils in grades kindergarten through 12 regarding the health dangers of tobacco and nicotine vapor products. Such information shall be consistent with guidelines set forth by the Department of Education. 2020, c. 679.