Misleading: There is No Safe Tobacco Product

Although tobacco has never been illegal, nicotine, the active ingredient in tobacco, is more addictive than any other drug. The use of nicotine increases dopamine levels and eventually makes your body reliant on nicotine in order to feel happy and, eventually, normal. Addiction can occur with any tobacco use; cigarettes, cigars and pipes, bidis and keteks (clove cigarettes), hookas or water pipes, chewing tobacco, snuff, dip, snus, dissolvable products and electronic cigarettes. Someone who is addicted will continue use of tobacco even when they know it is harmful to the health of themselves and those around them. Research in animals has shown that tobacco use can even cause changes in the brain that makes other drug use more rewarding. Learn more…

Misunderstood: E-Cigarettes Are Still Addictive

The FDA started regulating the sale of e-cigarettes (also known as electronic nicotine delivery systems, e-cigs, vape pipes, vaping pens, e-pipes, e-hookahs) in May of 2016. Until that time the ingredients put into the e-cigarette “juice” could contain any mix of nicotine and other liquids including heavy metals. In spite of this, e-cigarettes were marketed as being a healthy alternative to regular cigarettes. Regulating e-cigarettes will allow the federal government to monitor ingredients used, how they are made and health risks. This information is still becoming available as the use of e-cigarettes is still being studied. Learn more…

More to Be Done: E-Cigarette Use is on the Rise Among Middle and High School Students

Cigarette use has fallen in the last decades as many have fought hard to change policy around tobacco use and educate the public on health risks. Youth are using fewer cigarettes than even 5 years ago according to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey that is given in high schools across the country. However, in recent years, we have seen that e-cigarette use is on the rise. This is presumably due to a limited number of studies on health effects of this relatively new product. Become informed on the information that is available so that you can make healthy decisions about your body and begin to advocate for healthy policies in your community. Learn More…