A report from the U.S. Surgeon General is prompting health officials in New Hampshire to warn the public of the dangers of youth using e-cigarettes, also known as vaping.
The U.S. Surgeon General describes e-cigarette use as a major public health concern for youth and young adults. Over five years, e-cig use jumped 900 percent among high school students nationally, surpassing cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco.
The Department of Health and Human Services says one-in-four New Hampshire teens has used e-cigarettes, while only 6 percent of adults have done the same.
E-cigarettes were originally marketed as a way for smokers to reduce nicotine consumption. Despite limited evidence of the long-term health impacts of e-cigs, the Surgeon General says it's worth implementing policies now to stop youth from using them, including marketing restrictions, youth education and taxes.
