While cigarette use is on the decline overall among teens, a recent government survey finds that e-cigarette use among high school students tripled from 2013 to 2014. The 2014 National Youth Tobacco survey shows an increase from 4.5 percent to 13.4 percent in past 30 day use, compared with 9.2 percent of teens who smoked traditional cigarettes. Among middle school students, e-cigarette use in the past 30 days more than tripled from 1.1 percent in 2013 to 3.9 percent in 2014. The survey, published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shows that 30 day e-cigarette use has surpassed 30 day use of every other tobacco product overall, including cigarettes and hookah use. The survey finds an increase in high school and middle school hookah use in the past 30 days as well, at nearly double the rate. There was no decline in overall tobacco use between 2011 and 2014, as the increases in e-cigarette and hookah use offset declines in use of traditional cigarettes and cigars.
So how do all of these numbers apply to youth in Arizona? Join DrugFreeAZKids.org and Dr. Aaron Skolnik, Assistant Medical Director from Banner Poison and Drug Information Center for a webinar on E-Cigarettes and Nicotine: The Harms and Rising Numbers, on Wednesday, June 24th, 12:00pm. We will discuss the health impact, trends and poisonings associated with e-cigarettes and options for prevention and treatment. Click here to register.
