Teen Vaping Rate Declining In Palos Verdes

PALOS VERDES, CA — The number of teens who vape fell dramatically last year in the United States, according to a report released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The number of high school and middle school students using e-cigarettes fell to just under 2.2 million in 2016, down from 3 million in 2015, according to the CDC's survey. There was a growing concern that popularity of vaping products among teens will contribute to the increase of adults smoking in the future.

Campaigns against smoking and tobacco use targeted toward teens likely contributed to the decline, officials said. The report, however, stressed that continued effort is needed to keep the downward trend going.

“Far too many young people are still using tobacco products, so we must continue to prioritize proven strategies to protect our youth from this preventable health risk,” CDC Acting Director Dr. Anne Schuchat said.

The decline in vaping was the most dramatic, but there were also declines among high school students who used two or more tobacco products, any combustible tobacco products and hookah during 2015-16, the CDC said.

“While these latest numbers are encouraging, it is critical that we work to ensure this downward trend continues over the long term across all tobacco products,” FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb said. “The FDA has invested heavily in compelling, science-based education campaigns, such as 'The Real Cost,' that have already helped prevent nearly 350,000 kids from smoking cigarettes, and continues to enforce important youth access restrictions. We plan to build on these vital efforts to reduce tobacco-related disease and death.”

While nationally, there was a decline in teen vaping, in the South Bay, however, that doesn't seem to be the case, Beach Cities Health District director of lifespan services Kerianne Lawson said.

"I found the CDC report very interesting because we are not seeing such a clear drop in electronic cigarette use in the beach cities," she said. "Vaping and the use of alcohol and drugs remain high among Beach Cities kids, and BCHD remains concerned about these trends."

She said the district has received anecdotal reports from local students that vaping devices are getting smaller and harder to detect.

“Tobacco use in any form, including e-cigarettes, is unsafe for youth,” CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health director Corinne Graffunder said. “Tobacco products contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can harm the developing adolescent brain.”

Lawson said parents need to be vigilant about keeping tobacco products out of teen's hands and have a conversation with them about the danger of tobacco use.

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