Smoking isn’t as cool as it used to be. The number of adult smokers in the U.S. is at the lowest level, according to new federal data. A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says almost a million fewer middle and high school students used tobacco products in 2017 than in 2011. But electronic cigarettes which contain nicotine are used by more and more people, which raises new issues.
According to the latest statistics, 3.2% of U.S. adults (about 7.5 million) said they used e-cigarettes, and it’s even more common among teens. Nearly 12% of high school students use e-cigarettes. They especially favor Juul, the brand that dominates the U.S. market.
It’s still unclear whether e-cigarettes are safe. Their aerosols often contain fewer harmful chemicals than smoke from burned tobacco, but they may still expose users to toxins. Many contain addictive nicotine, and whether they help smokers give up the habit is still a question. Some studies have also shown that kids who use e-cigarettes may be more likely to use other tobacco products.
The Food and Drug Administration has forbidden youth use. In April, the agency sent letters to retailers warning them against illegally selling e-cigarettes to underage users and asked makers to submit information on marketing practices. Juul, which says its devices aren’t for children, has promised $30 million over three years to stop the flow of its product to teens.
The risks of e-cigarettes remain unclear, but it is a trend that’s unlikely to flame out.
本时文内容由奇速英语国际教育研究院原创编写,未经书面授权,禁止复制和任何商业用途,版权所有,侵权必究!(作者投稿及时文阅读定制请联系微信:400-1000-028)