You can talk to your children or other young people you know about the dangers of e-cigarettes. Tell them about the harm that nicotine in any form can do to their growing brain. Let them know that you have a strong stance against them using any tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, now or in the future.
This fact sheet features key findings from the Surgeon General's Report on e-cigarette use among youth and young adults that you can share with your child
Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet (Spanish)
Teen Beliefs:
Youth tobacco use in any form, including e-cigarettes, is unsafe. A recent national survey showed that about 10% of U.S. youth believe e-cigarettes cause no harm, 62% believe they cause little or some harm, and 28% believe they cause a lot of harm when they are used some days but not every day. In 2014, nearly 20% of young adults believe e-cigarettes cause no harm, more than half believe that they are moderately harmful, and 26.8% believe they are very harmful.
Young people who believe e-cigarettes cause no harm are more likely to use e-cigarettes than those who believe e-cigarettes cause a lot of harm
Appeal to Young People:
Youth and young adults cite a variety of reasons for using e-cigarettes. These include:
- Use by a friend or family member
- Taste, including the flavors available in e-cigarettes
- The belief that e-cigarettes are less harmful than other tobacco products
- Curiosity
Flavored e-cigarettes are very popular among youth and young adults. In 2014, more than 9 of 10 young adult e-cigarette users said they use e-cigarettes flavored to taste like menthol, alcohol, candy, fruit, chocolate, or other sweets. In 2018, more than 6 of 10 high school students who use e-cigarettes said they use flavored e-cigarettes.
Public Health Impact:
E-cigarettes pose potential risks to the population as a whole. E-cigarettes could cause public health harm if they:
- Increase the number of youth and young adults who are exposed to nicotine.
- Lead non-smokers to start smoking conventional cigarettes and other burned tobacco products such as cigars and hookah.
- Sustain nicotine addiction so smokers continue using the most dangerous tobacco products – those that are burned – as well as e-cigarettes, instead of quitting completely.
- Increase the likelihood that former smokers will again become addicted to nicotine by using e-cigarettes, and will start using burned tobacco products again.
Reference:
https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/takeaction.html
Resources:
Tip Sheet
Tip Sheet (Spanish)