Today U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy released a report titled “E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Young Adults: A Report of the Surgeon General”. This is the first report to be issued by the Federal Government that comprehensively reviews the public health issue of e-cigarettes and the impact of these products on young people. The report focuses on the history, epidemiology, and health effects of e-cigarette use among youth and young adults; the companies involved with marketing and promoting these products; and existing and proposed public health policies regarding the use of these products by youth and young adults.

In addition to a comprehensive summary of the existing scientific evidence, the report ends with a Call to Action, which presents six goals and related strategies to guide efforts to reduce e-cigarette use among our nation’s young people. To achieve these goals, the report notes that we must work together – including individuals and families; civic and community leaders; public health and health care professionals; e-cigarette manufacturers and retailers; voluntary health agencies; researchers; and other stakeholders – to better understand e-cigarettes and their health consequences for youth and young adults.

It is the position of TFW that electronic cigarettes and vaping devices are “not harmless and too many teens are using them” as validated today by the comments of the Surgeon General. We have much work to do in order to stop the impact of the vaping industry and Big Tobacco on our youth. Will you join us?

Resources:

• Full Report
• Executive Summary
• Fact Sheet 
• Tips for Parents