Electronic cigarettes have become very popular among people who want to quit smoking, which is seen as a good thing by most health experts, in spite of the fact that a few studies have pointed out there might be some side effects to vaping.
It seems that one of these side effects might be precisely taking up smoking. Surprising as it may seem, a new study proves that people who used to smoke electronic cigarettes have much higher chances to use traditional cigarettes or at least try them.
The research, whose findings were published in the journal Pediatrics, found that 33 percent of the teenagers who had used electronic cigarettes had also smoked tobacco. Compared to that, only one percent of those who never tried electronic cigarettes smoked traditional ones. About 2,100 high school students from the 11th and 12th grades were interviewed about their smoking habits and their opinions
Even if tobacco is not as popular as it used to be among teenagers, as reports show that the number of adolescents who smoke is in decline, health experts are worried that the electronic cigarette might open the gates to a new group of smokers.
Therefore, parents who have teenage children that like to vape should talk to them about the effects of tobacco cigarettes in the long run and make sure they are aware of the dangers they are exposed to once they become smokers.
The researchers from the University of Southern California who conducted the study said that there are still quite a lot of teenagers who are e-cigarette users but have never tried a normal cigarette. According to their findings, about 40 percent of the vapers have never smoked.
According to other reports, the percentage of teenagers using e-cigarettes has tripled over the last two years, which might be worrying, given the perspective that this new study brings.
Nevertheless, further research needs to be carried out regarding the safety of these devices.
Smoking is extremely harmful to people’s health. It is of utmost importance to prevent children or teenagers, who are the most vulnerable category, from smoking. This is why some states have already adopted stronger regulation in this matter.
For example, Massachusetts has raised the legal age of sale to 21 and imposed new restrictions on smoking.
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