The use of e cigarettes among teenagers has skyrocketed in the last few years, and many people may be left with major questions about these devices. While electronic cigarettes are marketed as a safer option than traditional cigarettes, adults may wonder: Are e cigarettes addictive? Do they contain nicotine? Are they dangerous for my child?

As statistics are gathered over time, it becomes more and more clear how serious the widespread use of e cigarettes is among our youth. According to FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, the use of e cigarettes has become an “exploding epidemic.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a whopping 1.5 million more youth used e cigarettes in 2018 than in 2017. (The CDC did not see a notable increase in any tobacco products during this period; the rapid change is exclusive to e cigarette products.)

In light of this increasingly widespread use of e cigarettes among youth (commonly referred to as “vaping”—or even “JUULing,” after the popular e cigarette brand JUUL), it is important for adults to better understand these devices and what their children may be facing in terms of consequences.

Are E Cigarettes Addictive?

The short answer is yes. While e cigarettes do not contain tobacco, they are instead filled with liquid nicotine and other chemicals, and are highly concentrated.

E cigarettes are also being designed to be as appealing as possible to today’s youth, in sleek, USB-shaped devices and offered in a variety of flavors. On top of this, many kids may not know what they are risking when they start smoking e cigarettes.

Indeed, while e cigarettes have as high or even higher levels of nicotine than traditional cigarettes, many kids don’t think their e cigarettes have any nicotine in them at all according to NBC News.

Can E Cigarettes Cause Nicotine Poisoning?

Nicotine poisoning used to be a rare phenomenon and was most often linked with exposure to insecticides rather than the purposeful inhalation of nicotine. However, the growing popularity of vaping has spiked the number of reported cases of nicotine poisoning. Now, e cigarettes are reportedly the largest cause of the phenomenon.

Vaping among youth can lead to a number of serious problems, including brain development issues that can affect learning, memory, and attention. The brain is still developing until about age 25, so young people are at serious risk for long-term effects like mood disorders, addiction, and even permanent lowering of their impulse control. Vaping can also cause major respiratory health issues.

Kids may face these risks even if they themselves are not using e cigarettes—breathing the aerosol that someone else has exhaled from an e cigarette can pose a health risk.

Changing Laws on Vaping

According to a July 16, 2019 article posted on Consumer Reports.org, New York is number 17 among the 50 states in the nation to pass new laws and restrictions on vaping and traditional tobacco products. As of the date of the post, the age at which one can purchase e-cigarettes, or combustible tobacco in the form of cigarettes or cigars is now 21 rather than 18—an increase of three years. Washington D.C. has also joined the more restrictive regional bandwagon.

Many of these new restrictions and laws were passed after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in November 2018 a decision to restrict the sale of e-cigarettes marketed in certain flavors.

These flavors—mango, mixed fruit, mint, and crème Brulee–have attracted kids in droves to vaping by mimicking candy or bubblegum. The FDA also proposed to outlaw the menthol flavoring available in traditional cigarettes and cigars.

In the Spring, the formally proposed policies were well communicated to the public and opened up for comment. Final guidelines are in the works by the governing agency, but in the meanwhile, many states and municipalities are taking their own stand.

Last month, the City of San Francisco banned the sale and distribution of vaping products throughout the city limits. This will remain until they are approved by the FDA, but at present, none of them have this status, as indicated by the report.

Can I File an E Cigarette Lawsuit?

A number of vape manufacturers have been accused of purposely marketing their e cigarette products to teenagers, including:

• JUUL
• Vuse
• Blu
• Logic
• MarkTen XL
• Others

If you or your child has become addicted to nicotine after smoking e cigarettes, or has suffered from other health side effects, you may be able to join this e cigarette nicotine addiction lawsuit investigation.

Filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by addiction or other health problems, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses and more.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.