Electronic Cigarette (E-Cigarette) Use Is Spreading Among Young People; the Greater Danger Is Cannabis Use Through E-Cigarettes. E-Cigarette Series-3

Rapid growth in the electronic cigarette market has justified concerns that young people will increasingly encounter e-cigarettes. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over the last 2 years e-cigarette use among American middle and high school students increased 3-fold. In 2014, more than 2 million such students used these devices. Although some states prohibit sales to young people, the devices remain readily accessible online.

The greatest increase among American students occurred between 2013 and 2014: use rose from %4.5 to %13.4. In 2013, 660.000 high school students used e-cigarettes; in 2014, the number reached 2 million.

Although the main selling point is helping people quit smoking, a new JAMA study states that youth e-cigarette use is a gateway to conventional cigarettes, showing that users are more likely to start smoking. Young e-cigarette users become more inclined toward tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, pipes and hookahs. E-cigarettes are considered fashionable among young people. Both e-cigarettes and regular cigarettes contain nicotine and are addictive.

Research involving 2500 young people in Los Angeles found that adolescents using no tobacco products on entering high school reported experimenting with them 6 months later. A person aged 14 trying tobacco products is concerning.

Research shows e-cigarettes appear to act as a gateway to other tobacco products: those trying them want to try other tobacco products too.

Although incorrect, young people believe e-cigarettes are harmless and nonaddictive. Families and adolescents should recognize that, although their effects may not be as bad as conventional cigarettes, they carry an addiction risk.

Approval by friends and family spreads use among young people. A new Pediatrics study showed that young people whose families or friends use e-cigarettes can become accustomed to them more easily.

University of Southern California researchers found adolescents prefer electronic to conventional cigarettes, and device use has increased annually since introduction to the market.

The Major Danger in E-Cigarettes!

In previous articles, we highlighted that the contents of liquid-nicotine e-cigarette cartridges could be changed and expressed our concern. This potential danger was definitively demonstrated by research whose results were announced this week. In America, among students averaging age 16, a study involving 3847 students found that %5.4 used e-cigarettes containing cannabis . Use of electronic cigarettes as a new, less conspicuous way of consuming cannabis is very worrying.

Can cannabis - hemp be used medically? What are its potential risks and benefits? You may also wish to read our article on this subject

In the e-cigarette market aimed at people trying to quit smoking, new research shows that modifying the devices allows cannabis (marijuana) to be vaporized instead of nicotine.

According to Yale University research, a fifth of high school students using e-cigarettes vaporize cannabis or poppy oil.

Most e-cigarettes have a cartridge, battery and atomizer. The cartridge contains a liquid solution heated and vaporized by the atomizer. Once vaporized, the user inhales it as with conventional smoking. Users can determine nicotine intake, and some prefer nicotine-free e-cigarettes. However, cannabis products can replace nicotine liquid, such as poppy oil, dried cannabis and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-infused wax, the active ingredient of cannabis. Some sellers also offer devices designed to vaporize cannabis.

In conclusion, exponentially increasing e-cigarette use among young people and cannabis consumption through these devices are highly concerning. This highlights the potential for use beyond their marketed purpose. Regulations concerning e-cigarettes must be introduced as soon as possible.

To access our first e-cigarette article, click here.

To access our second e-cigarette article, click here.