Previous story Biddeford doctor reprimanded for not ordering mammograms Next story Unchecked superbugs could kill 10 million a year, cost $100 trillion Children in 10 states, District of Columbia can buy e cigarettes

  • Print
  • Email
  • Share
  • Tweet

Chuck Liddy RALEIGH NEWS Stephanie Cordisco, president of R.J. Reynolds Vapor Co., explains how Reynolds is going to market their new electronic cigarette, the “Vuse” in the company’s “Customer Engagement Center,” in Winston Salem, North Carolina, March 4, 2014. A new report from the Centers for Disease Control found 16 million children in 10 states and the District of Columbia are able to purchase and use e cigarettes. By David Beasley, Reuters Posted Dec. 11, 2014, at 6 03 p.m.

ATLANTA More than 16 million children age 17 and younger in 10 states and the District of Columbia have legal access to electronic cigarettes, according to a federal study released on Thursday.

The underage use of e cigarettes, which are metal tubes that heat liquid into an inhalable vapor, concerns health officials because they contain nicotine, which can be addictive and harm adolescent brain development.

Critics also cite a lack of data on the health effects of their long term use, while proponents call them a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes.

We ve made a lot of progress addressing youth access to these products, said Brian King, a senior scientific adviser with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention s Office on Smoking and Health.

Since 2010, a total of 40 states have banned e cigarette sales to those under 18. Four of those states also ban sales of the product to 18 year olds.

Even so, e cigarette use among high school students tripled from 2011 to 2013, with 4.5 percent of students using the products last year, according to a CDC survey released in November.

The CDC cites increased advertising of e cigarettes as a possible cause of their mushrooming popularity among young people. E cigarette ads can be seen on TV, a practice banned for traditional cigarettes since the 1970s, King said.

The devices are unregulated by the federal government, although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in April proposed rules that would ban the sale of e cigarettes to anyone under 18.

The states allowing sales of e cigarettes to people under 18 include Texas, Michigan and Nevada, the CDC said.

SEE COMMENTS

Hudson raises age to buy cigarettes to 21 – news – metrowest daily news, framingham, ma – framingham, ma

Cigarettes online Blog Archive Discount cigarettes – burbank – burbank, ca
HUDSON Beginning in July, 18 year olds will no longer be able to buy cigarettes in town, as Hudson health officials Tuesday night approved raising the minimum purchase age for tobacco products to Board of Health also banned smoking in town owned parks and playgrounds and voted to prohibit healthcare institutions, such as pharmacies, from selling tobacco products in town to help reduce the high percentage of cigarette smokers in Hudson residents, about 12 percent are regular smokers, which has led to the town having one of the highest lung cancer hospitalization and death rates in the region, said Sam Wong, director of public and community health Hudson High School, nearly 10 percent of students smoke cigarettes regularly, according to the most recent MetroWest Adolescent Health Needham, which recently raised the minimum purchase age to 21, only 5.5 percent of high school students characterize themselves as regular smokers, 4 percent less than the regional average.A recent study found that 90 percent of people who purchase cigarettes for distribution to underage children are under 21, said joining Needham, Sharon, Canton and Deedham as towns that increased the minimum purchase age for tobacco products, Board of Health members believe the number of teenage smokers in town could diminish.”I fully support raising the age to 21,” said Board of Health member Patricia Board of Health member Jay Murphy said some storeowners are concerned about a decline in business, Murphy noted that raising the age to 21 will deter teenagers from getting cigarettes.”No one person came out and said they re in favor of smoking,” said board also banned pharmacies, such as CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aide Pharmacy, from selling tobacco products in their Hudson said health officials will send a letter to local shops detailing the new receiving several complaints about smoking in town owned parks and playgrounds, smoking will be prohibited at town parks and fields. No smoking signs will be posted in July to notify residents, said officials hope the new regulations will lessen the percentage of smokers and create a healthier Hudson.”As a nurse, I d be hard pressed not to vote for these restrictions,” said Malachowski can be reached at 508 490 7466 or jmalachowski Follow him on Twitter JmalachowskiMW.