The increased use of e-cigarettes and flavored tobacco for hookah pipes are cause for concern for the CDC and FDA. Photo credit: haml/morguefile.com
E-cigarettes are increasing in popularity and new data released from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration indicates some of its success is due in part to a popularity among middle and high schoolers. New information indicates e-cigarette usage tripled among ‘tweens and teens from 2013 to 2014. Director of the CDC Tom Frieden says the increased popularity of the product is working against other progress made in the fight against cigarette smoking. “Big picture is we’re seeing a striking increase,” says Frieden. “It’s very concerning. It more than counterbalances the decrease in cigarette smoking, which we’ve seen occurring in the last few years.” Last year, the Tennessee Department of Health issued a public health advisory on the use of e-cigarettes, citing what it called inadequate scientific information on the long-term impacts of e-cigarette usage. Another area of concern for the CDC is the popularity of hookahs, which are large pipes used to smoke flavored tobacco. Brian King, deputy director for research translation with the CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health, says the various flavors offered with e-cigarettes and hookah tobacco make them an interesting option to young people. “Hookah, like e-cigarettes, are not regulated, although they have proposed to be regulated,” says King. “They’re still available in flavors, particularly kid-friendly flavors that can increase appeal and access.” This is the first time since the government began collecting data on e-cigarettes in 2011 that current e-cigarette use surpassed current use of every other tobacco product, including conventional cigarettes.
