This story was produced by MyUPNews’ Jessica Goska. Find the original story here.
Heath advocates are warning parents about the dangers of electronic cigarettes as nearly 14 percent of Michigan high school students report using them. The Michigan Youth Tobacco Survey found that at least 95 percent of those students who attempted to purchase e-cigarettes while underage were able to do so.
To change those statistics, the Keep MI Kids Tobacco Free Alliance is calling for action on tobacco prevention legislation. In November, the Michigan Senate introduced a comprehensive tobacco prevention legislative package that the Keep MI Kids Tobacco Free Alliance is urging policymakers to advance. Part of that package includes Senate Bill 649 and 650, which would end the sale of flavored e-cigarettes and menthol-flavored cigarettes.
“A lot of these tobacco industries are very well aware that these products are very appealing and interesting to our youth, and they are using flavored products that are designed to hook our youth,” said Dr. Brittany Tayler, pediatrician and Keep MI Kids Tobacco Free Alliance co-chair.
Laura Lemke, assistant principal at Fenton High School in Fenton, MI, commented during a webinar held on September 18 that e-cigarette use among high school students correlates with poor academic performance and absenteeism. E-cigarette use also leads to health problems.
“Despite what many youth think when they come and talk to me, these are not harmless products,” Dr. Tayler explained.
Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in MI and is responsible for more than 16,000 deaths per year. More than 4,000 kids under 18 try e-cigarettes for the first time every day.
If you or someone you know is struggling with nicotine addiction, help is available. Teenagers and parents of teenagers with a nicotine addiction can visit this website for resources that can help them quit smoking. They should also seek help from a trusted medical provider.
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