ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND — America’s top doctor has called for action on the use of e-cigarettes among young people, releasing a report which emphasized its harmful effects. <br /> <br />E-cigarettes have been touted as a healthier alternative to regular smoking, which produce tar and carbon monoxide through burning. <br /> <br />However, according to a report released by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, it is now the most commonly used form of smoking among youth. A 900% increase has been reported among middle and high school students between 2011 and 2015. <br /> <br />But e-cigarettes still contain the drug nicotine, which when exposed to developing teen brains, makes them more susceptible to addiction, mood disorders, and lower impulse control. <br /> <br />Some claim e-cigarettes are a gateway to other tobacco products, with some evidence suggesting it may be linked to alcohol and drug use as well. <br /> <br />Secondhand aerosol released into the air during vaping also has been found to contain potentially harmful, cancer-causing chemicals. <br /> <br />The FDA already restricted the sale of vaping devices to minors under 18 in August, but Murthy believes further action is necessary. Murthy is calling for the inclusion of e-cigarettes in smoking bans, increases in taxes and price, and regulation of marketing practices that mostly target the youth.
