E-cigs offer teens a new path to nicotine addiction

I staten Imperial County, 15.4 percent of youths use tobacco products.

“This is higher than the average of 13.8 percent,” said Lucy Hernandez, Imperial County Public Health Department’s Tobacco Educator. “What is concerning is that over 95 percent of stores near schools in Imperial County sell affordable tobacco products, such as Swishers Sweets, which sell for less than $1.”

Smoking can cause a number of life-threatening health problems, including cancer, heart disease and lung disease, said Hernandez.

The growing popularity of electronic cigarettes is adding to the problem. With its large availability and addictive flavors, vaping could soon become a leading cause of death. E-cigarette retail availability around the state averages 62.3 percent. The Imperial County Public Health Department says the number is higher locally.

Juul, the popular e-cigarette, has been the leader in the market for some time now. As of July 2018, it controls 72.2 percent of the market and continue to be on a rise. With Juul pods designed to look like devices such as USB drives, they’re not always easy to spot. However, their prevalence within our younger community is more common than most realize.

A Juul pod contains 5 percent nicotine. The number may seem low, but it represents roughly the same amount of nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes. What’s more, that concentration of nicotine is being spread into the air as second- and thirdhand smoke.

Secondhand smoke is a mixture of two forms of smoke that come from burning tobacco. One comes from the burning end of a cigarette, cigar or pipe, while the other is exhaled by a smoker, Hernandez said.

The American Cancer Society has reported there are more than 7,000 chemicals in secondhand smoke. Of those, 70 have been reported to have cancerous effects. Thirdhand smoke results from the leftovers of a cigarette. This residue is left on a surfaces like car seats, sofas and clothing.

Thirdhand smoke is a relatively new area of research, so its possible dangers aren’t fully known. However, evidence suggests chemical exposure through thirdhand smoke can damage DNA.

The CDC reported that more than 41,000 non-smoking adults die in the United States each year from causes related to secondhand smoke.

Babies and young infants are at the largest collateral risk from smoking. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, the sudden, unexplained, unexpected death of an infant in the first year of life, is the No. 1 killer of otherwise healthy infants, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Research has suggested babies of mothers who smoke during and after pregnancy are much more likely to die from SIDS than babies born to non-smoking mothers.

Health experts insist the only way to prevent risk from second- and thirdhand smoke to children is to ensure there is zero tolerance for smoking in areas the child is exposed to, such as inside the home or in cars.

When a mother smokes during her pregnancy she allows for nicotine, carbon monoxide and tar to enter the baby’s bloodstream. When the unborn child is exposed to this it results in less oxygen for them. Less oxygen can slow down their growth, which can damage their heart, lungs and brain.

Those who are exposed to smoke frequently tend to get sick more often. These same people are also at risk of major health complications, one being lung problems that can later develop into bronchitis and pneumonia.