Cigarette consumption drastically decreased in Minnesota, about 90.1% in high school students and 78.0% in middle school students, from 2000 to 2020. This trend was partially influenced by the introduction of awareness campaigns and by the education of the students about the irreversible effect of smoking tobacco.
Another factor responsible for this significant decline in smoking tobacco cigarettes was the advent of e-cigarettes.
Research proves that e-cigarettes are an acceptable alternative to traditional tobacco combustible cigarettes. This means the youth is now inhaling vapor instead of smoke subjecting their lungs and heart to lesser harm. There are few health risks associated with e-cigarettes. It is a healthy substitute for traditional cigarettes and also a significantly suitable way to complete cessation.
A similar and rather interesting trend was also seen in Minnesota where the use of e-cigarettes and combustible cigarettes is behaving inversely i.e. the vape or e-cigarette is now more common than the traditional cigarette, especially among youth.
FDA’s decision comes from misinformation
Unlike combustible cigarettes, e-cigarettes do not constitute toxic chemicals. Moreover, different studies have indicated that e-cigarettes cause 95% less damage in comparison to cigarette smoking. Therefore, the consumption of e-cigarettes by students should be seen in a positive light since the reverse situation of traditional cigarettes could be much more alarming.
Additionally, with traditional smoking, there is a certain possibility of passive smoking which is very common these days. With e-cigarettes, conversely, there is no fear of second-hand vapor. There is no evidence found against emissions from e-cigarettes.
FDA needs to give its decision to ban vapes a second thought. A gruesome example of San Francisco is to learn from where after banning vapes, the use of smoking cigarettes hiked and became twice the original percentage. Similarly, an increased tax on e-cigarettes in Minnesota also resulted in an alarming augmentation in adult smoking.
The dangers of traditional smoking remain well-documented while e-cigarettes can turn out to be a great way to quitting eventually.
Ban on e-cigarettes will put the MN youth on the edge
E-cigarettes helped bring down the number of teen smokers in the past few years. If FDA’s decision to ban vaping will make teens smoke again. Not only will this put years of progress in reverse gear, but there will also be an increase in cardiovascular diseases by indirectly encouraging teens to smoke traditional cigarettes again.
