OHIO — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a study Thursday afternoon that showed 2.55 million middle and high school students across the United States have vaped in the last 30 days.
Dr. Kristie Ross, Chief of Pediatric Pulmonology at University Hospitals, explained the immediate impacts that e-cigarettes can have on kids.
What You Need To Know
- Study shows 2.55 million middle and high school students have vaped in the last 30 days
- Vaping can have immediate and long-term negative health effects
- It can affect the development of kids brains and their breathing
“Both respiratory and the central nervous system impacts in the immediate time period,” she said.
Ross said there is not enough research yet to determine the exact long-term effects of vaping, but many medical professionals believe they are like the long-term effects of regular cigarettes.
“Long term, I would say that the thing that we have the most knowledge about is that it increases the risk of long-term addiction to nicotine, which you know generally people at some point transition over to regular combustible cigarettes which then of course increases your risk of lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other disorders,” she said.
Ross said parents, teachers and other adult leaders in the community should talk to children about the medical impact vaping can have on them.
As time goes on, she hopes kids negatively view e-cigarettes the same way that many now view regular cigarettes.
“We have to start talking about this just like we do regular cigarettes and drinking and all the other risky behaviors that adolescents take part in,” she said.
Among youth surveyed who indicated using vapes, about 85% reported using flavored e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes have been the most-widely used form of tobacco among minors since 2014.