The number of kids smoking cigarettes is down—but the number using other tobacco products is way up. That’s the word from the 2014 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS), co-conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“This is the only nationally representative survey of middle and high school students that focuses exclusively on tobacco use,” says Benjamin J. Apelberg, Ph.D., branch chief of epidemiology at FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products.
Survey results provided a national snapshot of what tobacco products today’s middle and high school youth are using, as well as emerging trends over time.
The key findings include:
- In 2014, one in four high school students and one in 13 middle school students reported being tobacco users (using one or more tobacco products in the previous 30 days).
- Of the then-current 4.6 million youth tobacco users, 2.4 million reported using e-cigarettes.
- Between 2011 and 2014, the percentage of students reporting current use of cigarettes decreased from 15.8% to 9.2%.
- Between 2011 and 2014, hookah use among high school students doubled and e-cigarette use increased even more dramatically.
- In 2014, nearly 2.2 million students reported using two or more tobacco products.
Since the survey started collecting data on e-cigarettes in 2011, in 2014 their current use for the first time surpassed current use of every other tobacco product, including conventional cigarettes.
“One thing the study confirms for us is that the tobacco product landscape has changed dramatically,” Apelberg says. “Middle and high school kids are using novel products like e-cigarettes and hookahs in unprecedented numbers, and many are using more than one kind of tobacco product.”
It’s something of a good news/bad news picture, says FDA epidemiologist Catherine Corey. “While we’re glad to see cigarette smoking decreasing in middle and high school youth, the increase in the use of e-cigarettes and hookahs undermines progress in reducing tobacco use among kids,” she says.
Nicotine Can Affect the Developing Brain
Nicotine is dangerous and highly addictive for kids at any age, whether it comes from an e-cigarette, hookah, cigarette or cigar. Because the brain is still developing, adolescence appears to be a particularly vulnerable time. Research has clearly demonstrated that exposure to nicotine at a young age increases the chance that kids will become addicted. In addition to nicotine exposure, tobacco use can be harmful due to the numerous other chemicals present in tobacco products that can cause disease.
“Youth should not use tobacco in any form,” Apelberg says.
At this time, FDA has regulatory authority over cigarettes, cigarette tobacco, roll-your-own tobacco and smokeless tobacco. The agency is in the process of finalizing a rule that would extend its authority to regulate additional products that meet the legal definition of a tobacco product, such as electronic cigarettes, cigars and hookahs. FDA is also proposing a minimum age of 18 for buying tobacco.
“These latest findings serve to strengthen existing scientific evidence that novel tobacco products like e-cigarettes and hookah have great appeal to youth, and that comprehensive youth prevention efforts that focus on reducing all forms of tobacco use are needed,” says Corey.
Results of the survey were published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report in April, 2015.
Needs to be widely circulated in the yeshivas. No excuse whatsoever to smoke.
Kids also need a release. So sometimes its healthy. Thats why i let my kids smoke. U can disagree but if u think theres nothing wrong with an avg boy learning 9 hrs a day w/ little or no recess ur not facing reality.
@Jog , your right I can disagree. Everyone needs the so called outlet and smoking isn’t the answer. It’s not only unhealthy and destructive, and is ridiculous you even suggest that for an out let, especially if their underage.
If your kids need an outlet. And you really care about them. Why don’t you get them a basketball or teach them some other sport… Some healthy outlet…
I have boys that smoke and it bother me to no end! Unfortunately there is not much I can do about it! They know my opinion about smoking and they knew before they started smoking! btw teenagers think there is nothing wrong with e-cigs! (and a law about it won’t change a thing as long as there are “adults” willing to buy the cigs for the kids! Happens all the time!)
If you fight with your kids about it and it becomes a whole “me against you” type of thing, it becomes part of his identity and he’ll never give it up. If you act like an adult and be patient no matter how much it’s shaking you up inside, and act VERY CALMLY around him, it becomes a non-issue type of thing & when he’s ready to mature up, he’ll stop.
I agree with JogaThon & Sara. My 2 cents – u dont make cents. Im talking about hi-school kids. they goto Yeshiva 7:30 am, return 9:30 pm. When am I playing sports with them ? And try to take some of the hatred out of ur tone, its demeaning.
I totally disagree with those who have given up this fight. Ask dr shanik or any doctor in lakewood for that matter and they will tell you how dangerous this activity is. Tell your kids from age 6 and up its not mutar to do this. See Harav Moshe Ztl psak on how you are not allowed to start smoking.
Well see R’ Moshe’s p’sak and then get back to me… If it’s an accepted thing in the world to do, then it isn’t assur. But for your own health, u shouldn’t start…
Wow a new age! Parents are now OK if their children turn to outlets that cause cancer.
I hope these parents are joking.