What is an E-Cigarette?

  • E-cigarettes are tobacco products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) deemed e-cigarettes, cigars, and hookah and pipe tobacco, as tobacco products in 2016.
  • E-cigarettes are “vaping” devices that mimic the act of smoking.
  • Battery-powered devices that heat a liquid mixture that usually contains nicotine and other ingredients, which are inhaled by the user.
  • They come in many shapes and sizes.
  • There are now approximately 8,000 e-juice flavors (like menthol, fruit, candy, chocolate, sweets). The variety of flavors attracts youth to trying them.

Examples of e-Cigarettes

Public Health Concerns

  • The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has the authority to create manufacturing and labeling standards. Currently there are no standards or regulations, resulting in various levels of nicotine and other chemicals in the liquid placed inside of them.
  • The aerosol that comes from e-cigarettes contains harmful and potentially harmful ingredients, including nicotine, ultrafine particles, heated flavorings, volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals.
  • E-cigarettes are illegal for kids under 18 years of age.
  • The brain continues to develop through the early to mid-twenties. Nicotine use during this time can:
    • Disrupt the formation of brain circuits that control attention and learning.
    • Activate the limbic system more strongly, which can lead to addiction.
  • Nicotine can be poisonous, especially in liquid form often called e-juice, e-liquid, or liquid nicotine. E-juice is harmful to children. Just a few drops absorbed by the skin or swallowed can send a child to the emergency room. Ingesting as little as half of a teaspoon of e-juice, may be fatal for children. It is important to store all nicotine products out of reach of children.
    • E-cigarettes as cessation aids (help with quitting tobacco)
      There is very limited scientific information available about the use of e-cigarettes as a cessation aid. Please note that without manufacturing and regulatory standards, conducting randomized clinical trials remains challenging.

Can E-Cigarettes Help You Quit Tobacco?

Studies on e-cigarettes as a quitting aid for nicotine addiction and cigarette use are few, with mixed and modest results. Some show that they are about equal in effectiveness to that of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) – like the nicotine patch. The best way to quit is to use quit line counseling and FDA-approved medications.

  • The health effects of e-cigarette use are not known, but e-cigarettes are likely safer than combustible tobacco products
  • The ultimate goal must be to quit traditional (burning tobacco) cigarette use in order to protect your health
  • Dual use (using both products) is not a good long-term goal

E-Cigarette Policies for Your Community and Family

  • The New Hampshire Smoking Indoor Act
    After e-cigarettes were deemed as a tobacco product they are no longer allowed where smoking is prohibited.
  • Talk with your child about the health effects of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.
  • Be an example to your child by living tobacco-free. Even if you’re quitting tobacco, share the reasons why you want to be tobacco-free and ask for support in your journey.
  • Prohibit e-cigarette use around your child.
  • Make your home and vehicles tobacco-free, including e-cigarettes.
  • Encourage your young adult to attend a college or university that is tobacco-free, including e-cigarettes.
  • Make sure the childcare or school your child attends is tobacco-free, including e-cigarettes.
  • New Hampshire state law RSA 126-K:7 prohibits the use of tobacco products, e-cigarettes, or liquid nicotine on public educational facility grounds for grades K-12.

Resources

Program/Curriculum

New Hampshire

National