Fact: Youth use of e-cigarettes increases their risk of transitioning to traditional cigarettes.
A new study out of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has concluded that electronic tobacco devices may help adult smokers quit using traditional cigarettes, but they pose a risk to teens and young adults. The different flavors of e-cigarette products, coupled with the perception that they are healthier than traditional cigarettes, attracts younger customers.
Most e-cigarettes do contain nicotine: the addictive stimulant in tobacco products. That means youth using e-cigarettes are still exposed to nicotine, and that can ultimately lead to the transition to traditional tobacco products.
The science is still out when it comes to longer term health affects of e-cigarette use, though there is conclusive evidence that adverse exposure to the liquids used in e-cigarettes can be harmful and can cause seizures and vomiting.
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