The American Heart Association says e-cigarettes are dangerous gateway products that cause nicotine addiction and should be subject to strict federal controls for minor-aged use.
The group published its statement into the journal Circulation. Among its views: Ban e-cigarettes for minors, tightly regulate the product’s marketing and ban vapors that have flavors because they entice youngsters to try the product, Medical News Today reported.
E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that allow the user to inhale flavored, vaporized nicotine-laced substances — albeit some solutions don’t even contain nicotine.
The devices have caused great controversy. A study from the University College London in the United Kingdom found earlier this year that the devices actually help tobacco smokers quit, Medical News Today reported. Yet another study challenged this finding and reported that e-cigarettes actually encourage users to then move on to tobacco products like cigarettes.
The AHA’s CEO, Nancy Brown, said in a statement reported by Medical News Today: “Recent studies raise concerns that e-cigarettes may be a gateway to traditional tobacco products for the nation’s youth and could renormalize smoking in our society. These disturbing developments have helped convince the association that e-cigarettes need to be strongly regulated, thoroughly researched and closely monitored.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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