Emerging evidence on the effects of e-cigarettes on the lungs [1,2], brain [3], heart, and blood vessel functions [4, 5, 6] and related adolescent addiction [7] forcefully detracts from claims that “e-cigarettes are a safer alternative to cigarettes” [8]. Since September 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued guidelines asking all youth and young adults to stop using e-cigarettes [9]. An outbreak of more than 2,000 lung illnesses and deaths have been linked to e-cigarettes/vaping. However, persuasive advertising, e-cigarette flavors, peer pressure, and changing social norms result in continued adolescent e-cigarette initiation and use. Furthermore, evidence about the addictiveness of e-cigarettes is mounting, with many youth finding it difficult to quit. All eyes are on the scientific and public health community to characterize the youth e-cigarette epidemic and to provide targeted, evidence-based solutions.
Language: en
LA - en SN - 1054-139X UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2019.10.008 ID - ref1 ER -