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Logan County Department of Public
Health warns of E-cigarette risks and youth
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[September 14, 2023]
 According
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than
2.5 million youth, or about 1 in 10, reported using e-cigarettes in
2022. Of those reporting use, 14.1% were in high school and 3.3%
were in middle school. E-cigarettes come in various flavors such as
fruit, candy, mint, and menthol. Although e-cigarette use (also
known as “vaping”) may seem harmless, what is being inhaled can
potentially be harmful.
E-cigarettes work by heating a liquid into an aerosol which is
inhaled into the lungs. The aerosol, although not harmful in itself,
usually contains nicotine. Aerosols can also contain flavoring that
has been linked to lung disease, volatile organic compounds,
cancer-causing chemicals, and heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and
lead. When the user exhales the aerosols, bystanders are also at
risk for inhaling the aerosols.
Nicotine, which is also found in tobacco products, is highly
addictive and can harm brain development up until the mid-20s. For
adolescents, the potential harm to the brain can impact learning,
memory, and attention. In addition, evidence suggests young people
who use e-cigarettes may be more likely to smoke cigarettes at an
older age and are at greater risk for future addiction to other
drugs.
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The Logan County Department of
Public Health urges parents and caregivers to play an important
role in protecting children from e-cigarettes. First, talk to
your child or teen about the risk and harm presented by using
e-cigarettes. Secondly, be a good role model by setting the
example of not using tobacco. For more information regarding
e-cigarettes and the risks of vaping for young people, visit
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_
information/e-cigarettes/index.htm.
For more information regarding services offered at Logan County
Department of Public Health, visit their website at
WWW.LCDPH.ORG or call 217-735-2317.
Information Source: CDC
[Don Cavi, MS, LEHP
Public Health Administrator
Logan County Department of Public Health]
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