We applaud Gov. Inslee’s spotlight on the escalating use of e-cigarettes among youth in our state. Not only is vaping on the rise, but it has surpassed tobacco cigarette use, with 10th grade students in Washington two times more likely to vape than to smoke traditional cigarettes.
While final data from the 2014 Healthy Youth Survey will be released by the state next month, preliminary results showed that 8.5 percent of eighth graders, 18 percent of high school sophomores, and 23 percent of high school seniors reported using an e-cigarette within the last 30 days. In many cases, vaping is in addition to regular smoking.
As fathers and individuals dedicated to ensuring healthy kids grow up to be healthy adults, we believe that it is essential for Snohomish County to know the facts about vaping so that we can act to protect the youth in our community.
What is an e-cigarette? Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes or vaping devices, represent a market that has grown exponentially since they were first introduced in mid-2000s. They typically consist of a battery, an atomizer and a cartridge for liquid nicotine. There are more than 400 different brands of e-cigarettes and the liquid nicotine comes in more than 7,000 flavors, all of which can be purchased online. The devices can also be used with THC (the active ingredient of marijuana) and virtually any other drug.
Are they safer than tobacco cigarettes? While e-cigarette vapor likely contains fewer toxins and carcinogens than the 7,000 found in traditional tobacco smoke, that does not mean that breathing e-cigarette vapor is “safe.” In addition to the nicotine, vaping exposes our children to toxins like lead and formaldehyde. It will take decades to fully understand the long-term effects of these devices and the drugs they deliver.
Why should we be concerned? Those selling these devices are zeroing in on youth with ads featuring celebrities and other social media campaigns, telling youth that vaping is cool and safe. This is a dangerous and inaccurate message to send to our kids. Nicotine, regardless how it enters the body, is a drug that the U.S. Surgeon General notes is just as addictive as cocaine and heroin.
We are also troubled by increased calls to the Washington Poison Center. In 2014, there were 182 calls related to vaping liquid — 82 percent of which were for children 1-3 years in age. Unfortunately, manufacturers are not required to provide child-safe packaging. With bottles featuring brightly colored labels, cartoonish graphics and flavors like cotton candy, gummy bears and buttered popcorn, this is of grave concern. Stopping these practices is paramount, since even a small amount of concentrated nicotine on the skin can be fatal for a toddler.
What is needed? There is currently a bill under consideration that, if approved, would require retailers to obtain licenses to sell vaping devices, prohibit Internet sales, ensure child-safe packaging, and restrict marketing and sales activities targeted at youth. It would also impose a tax on vaping products that would be on par with other addictive substances like alcohol and tobacco. Taxes on cigarettes have proved one of the most effective strategies to reduce smoking by youth. We believe this bill offers a sensible approach.
We can’t afford to let years go by before we act to protect our children from a lifetime of health problems. It’s the right thing to do for healthy kids and a healthy Snohomish County.
Dr. Gary Goldbaum is the health officer and director for the Snohomish Health District. Sam Low a local business owner, councilmember for the City of Lake Stevens, and chair of the District’s Board of Health.
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