According to the 2018 National Youth Tobacco Survey, a whopping 78% increase in the use of e-cigarettes has been seen among high school students and a 48% increase among middle school students from 2017 to 2018.
Survey reports have also shown that one in 20 students in middle school now practices #vaping. This progressive increase in flavored cigarettes and vapes should be dealt with as a public health emergency. This vital population, on which the future of Maryland depends, is bound to face devastating physical and mental health issues.
The ban left a massive loophole by exempting disposable products from the ban, which has to be corrected by a strict moratorium on all kinds of flavored cigarettes and #vaping devices.
Although they contain less harmful chemicals than regular cigarettes, E-cigarettes have been found to contain chemicals like diacetyl, lead, chromium, and nickel, many of which are carcinogenic. Some have also been shown to lead to respiratory illnesses, hamper brain development, and other acute and chronic health problems.
Although a few e-cigarettes have claimed to be nicotine-free, research has found substantial amounts in those products. Consumption of nicotine leads to addiction, and the worst part is our children will be affected as their brain grows and matures. This is especially concerning because they are naive in having a low risk-perception of this harmful chemical, making them more vulnerable to the marketing ploys for these products.
Nicotine causes brain changes that alter attention span, learning ability, and long-term memory, affecting overall physical, mental, and emotional development. Health problems aside, #vaping is often the gateway to addiction to other cigarettes and #tobacco in the long run. Therefore, without strict regulation or a ban on these products, the future health of youth in Maryland and the overall future of Maryland state itself is in question.
Advocates of #vaping claim that e-cigarettes will help someone quit smoking. Another reason it is popular among youth is its enticing flavor and the perception that it has no adverse health effects. However, this assertion lacks any credible scientific ground.
Evidence and research on this is minimal, and the FDA does not approve e-cigarettes as a quit-smoking aid. The claims of opposition are just propaganda to influence youth and children and use their naivety to fuel the multi-million dollar #tobacco industry. Although the state will lose millions of dollars when the related industries are closed, it is worth not putting the lives of young citizens at stake.
The first step is discouraging #tobacco use, which will safeguard the community's health and, in the long run, will prevent the social and economic collapse in Maryland.
As youth will find ways to access these products while banned through illegal routes, different policies will need to be enacted at the state level, with harsh punishments.
