CDC: E-cigarette Use has Doubled Among Students
- New York Times. (2013, September 6). CDC: E-cigarette use has doubled among students. Houston Chronicle, Nation, A3.
- Category of problem: Health
- Level of problem: National
- The article concerns: The use of electronic cigarettes among middle and high school students doubled in 2012.
- Why is this important to families / individuals OR how does it affect individuals / families?
- E-cigarettes are battery powered devices that deliver vaporized nicotine in the form of an aerosol mist. Health officials do not see this as a healthy alternative to conventional smoking, and fear that it could lead to smoking for those people who, otherwise, would not have experimented.
- What are your views on the issue / policy?
- I have never considered smoking, and this it is a pretty disgusting habit. I do not know much about the e-cigarette, but would intuitively think that it has to be a 'healthier' alternative to smoking real cigarettes. I'm not sure that enough studies have been done to determine if the e-cig has any long-term health implications either. I know several people, though, who have kicked the habit of smoking by switching to these devices. They claim to feel better without all the harmful chemicals from cigarettes, and don't feel embarrassed by the stigma that cigarette smoking has become over the last few years. I can see the point of health officials who are wary that younger people who experiment with the e-cig may lead them to smoke the real thing. I've been told that smoking is as much about doing things with your hands and mouth as it is the smoke inhalation itself. I don't know about all that, but can see where that could become a habit. I believe that more long-term studies are needed. But, if the e-cig does not prove to be any more harmful than sucking on a lollipop, then the government should not stick its nose in for regulations - they do that way too much in the first place. As for me, I think I'll stick to bowling to give my hands something to do!
The E-cigarette is interesting. I also have never smoked, but I can empathize with smokers in the need for a "fix" for their habit. In regards to smokers finding an alternative for inhaling smoke, and being able to smoke in public, this is a great option. I have to admit I feel left out when a group of friends take a smoke break without me. So, there is something to say for the habit of simply having something to do with your hands.
ReplyDeleteThe law needs to stay away from the E-cigarette, assuming the E-cigarette isn’t causing any harm. If a child wants to try to smoking, they are going find their way to a cigarette. The argument that making the E-cigarette accessible to children will introduce them to the habit of smoking is similar to the argument that we shouldn't teach sexual education because children will want to have sex. The argument is ridiculous; the argument is based off correlation not causation. And, I think the large cigarette companies are sad to see their mighty big business going down the tubes. So, the cigarette businesses are finding way to push out the competition, like the E-cigarette.
In the end, movement towards the extinction smoking tobacco gives me faith in the health of people. As the American culture changes I believe smoking will become a vice of the past. Until then, any device or strategy, which will replace the habit of smoking, is good in my book!