Health officials warn public about rising e-cigarette use

The California Department of Public Health issued a health advisory last week warning people about the toxicity of electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes.

The department also released a new report which revealed that studies have found a significant rise in the use of e-cigarettes, especially among young adults and teens. E-cigarettes are described as battery operated devices that deliver a nicotine-containing aerosol.

According to the health advisory, the liquid solution used in e-cigarettes typically contains nicotine and that nicotine can be just as addictive as nicotine found in cigarettes.

E-cigarettes are also referred to as e-cigs, e-hookahs, vape pens and vape pipes.

Highlights of the report include:

▪ Exposure to nicotine can harm brain development, especially during teen years.

▪ E-cigarettes emit an aerosol that has been found to contain at least 10 chemicals that are on California’s Proposition 65 list of chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects and other reproductive harm.

▪ E-cigarettes are not FDA-approved aids to help people quit smoking traditional cigarettes.

▪ In the span of two years, between 2011 and 2013, e-cigarette advertising jumped more than 1,200 percent.

Data shows that young adults in California are three times more likely to use these battery-operated cigarettes.

The use of e-cigarettes by young adults ages 18 to 29 increased from 2.3 percent in 2012 to 7.6 percent in 2013, according to the report. And in 2014, the use of e-cigarettes by teens surpassed the use of traditional cigarettes.

“There is a lot of misinformation about e-cigarettes,” Dr. Ron Chapman said in a news release. “That is why, as the state’s health officer, I am advising Californians to avoid the use of e-cigarettes and keep them away from children of all ages.”

According to the report, e-cigarette emissions are also a health concern for those exposed to secondhand aerosol. People exposed to the aerosol absorb nicotine at levels comparable to people who are exposed to secondhand smoke from tobacco products.

Local health officials are also starting to look into the rising popularity of e-cigarettes. While county-specific data is not yet available at the Merced County Department of Public Health, officials said e-cigarette risk information will be included in upcoming federal grant work.

That work will partner with the local Tobacco Coalition on educational efforts on e-cigarettes as well, according to officials. As of now there are no educational programs provided by the Merced County Public Health Department on e-cigarettes.

This story was originally published February 2, 2015 at 8:26 PM with the headline "Health officials warn public about rising e-cigarette use."