Fewer teens are smoking, but what they’re doing instead is raising red flags for area health experts.
A presentation made this week by Allen County Health Commissioner Dr. Deborah McMahan reveals that while only 9% of high-schoolers admitted to smoking in a study by the Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Commission, 18% of high school juniors and 17% of high school seniors in Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells, and Whitley Counties use e-cigarettes.
The Journal Gazette reports those “vaping” products contain nicotine, which is the same addictive ingredient found in tobacco products, and have undone “years of progress” in efforts to turn kids and teens away from the drug. Some e-cigarettes actually contain higher amounts of nicotine than cigarettes alone.
Supporters of e-cigarettes argue they’re still safer than cigarettes, citing studies that say they’re anywhere from 80% to 95% safer.
