It took decades
of expansive public health campaigns, and several lawsuits, to educate the
American public about the dangers of smoking. That long battle produced strict
laws about where and when people could smoke, creating safer environments for
non-smokers, and personal health benefits to smokers who were encouraged to
quit.
The popularity of
electronic cigarettes is threatening to undo some of those public health gains.
E-cigarettes are
popping up in restaurants and bars, the workplace and other public places where
the smoking of traditional cigarettes is banned. That is creating a controversy
about whether the flavored mist emitted from an e-cigarette presents a similar
health risk to non-smokers, or at least a public nuisance.
The U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention reports that e-cigarettes among high school
and middle school students has doubled since 2011. That’s a disturbing trend.
Teens who get addicted to candy-flavored e-cigarettes may be doomed to a
lifetime struggling with nicotine addiction.
It’s expected the
federal Food and Drug Administration will announce regulations for electronic
cigarettes as early as next month. That could trigger a welcome new wave of
state and local regulations.
King County is
already considering a proposal to include e-cigarettes in the ban on smoking
cigarettes, cigars and pipes in public environments. It would also restrict
sales to people over the age of 18.
Other states and
nations are trying to catch up to Big Tobacco’s end-run around smoking
restrictions. France has banned use of e-cigarettes in public places.
State lawmakers
should follow the FDA’s lead and adopt statewide regulations on e-cigarettes.
Article Credit: http://www.theolympian.com
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