The US’ top doctor has said e-cigarettes are dangerous and children need to stay away from them.
“These products are now the most commonly used form of tobacco among youth in the United States, surpassing conventional tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco and hookahs,” wrote Dr Vivek H Murthy, the US surgeon general, in a report released on last Thursday.
In fact, use of e-cigarettes among high school students increased by 900% from 2011 to 2015, according to the report. The report indicates among middle and high school students, use of e-cigarettes has more than tripled since 2011.
Vaping among youths between 18 and 24 more than doubled from 2013 to 2014.
“Compared with older adults, the brain of youth and young adults is more vulnerable to the negative consequences of nicotine exposure,” Murthy said.
“As surgeon general and as a new father, I am urging all parents to take a stand against e-cigarette use by our nation’s young people,” Murthy said at a news conference.
