We have absolutely zero problem with raising the age limit to buy tobacco products. “We were making progress, but when a third of our high school students now report using tobacco or e-cigarettes, we need to increase our partnerships with schools and local leaders”.
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While progress has been made in reducing the burden of tobacco use on the nation, each day in the USA more than 2,600 youth under age 18 smoke their first cigarette, and almost 600 become daily cigarette smokers. Its use is known as vaping. The benefits and health risks of these electronic cigarettes are very uncertain. The minimum age in four states is 19, and in several local jurisdictions including New York City have raised the legal age to 21.
They are also less expensive than cigarettes because they are not subject to the same taxes, despite containing the same carcinogens, said King, who was not involved in the JAMA research letter. “Protecting children from tobacco products is one of the most important things that a society can do to protect children’s health”.
Other AAP recommendations include smoke-free laws that already exist be expanded to include e-cigarettes and bans on advertising to kids and teens.
The study explained that the dependence on tobacco & e-cigarettes usually starts during adolescence during which time anything that is from an uncharted territory can excite them.
The AAP noted that acute nicotine poisoning in children is on the rise, primarily because of accidental ingestion of e-cigarette solutions.
“Tobacco is unique among consumer products in that it severely injures and kills when used exactly as intended”, states the AAP policy statement.
Nearly 90 percent of teens who had used hookah, 81 percent of ever e-cigarette users, 65 percent of ever users of any cigar type, and 50 percent of ever cigarette smokers said the first product they used was flavored. Researchers also say that pediatricians need to start counseling families on smoking’s harmful effects especially when it comes to the effects of second hand smoke on children.
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Dr. Karen M. Wilson, chairman of AAP Section on Tobacco Control, said that tobacco use among children, adults and adolescents continues to be a major concern and threat. They also urge physicians to talk to their young patients about the dangers of tobacco use before they begin to experiment with smoking.
