E-Cig Usage Doubles

Posted: April 24, 2014 | tobacco | cigarette, e-cig, electronic cigarette, smoking, tobacco, vaping | 0 Comments

“If large numbers of adult smokers become users of both traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes — rather than using e-cigarettes to quit cigarettes completely — the net public health effect could be quite negative.” – Tim McAfee, MD, MPH

According to a new CDC study, there has been sharp increase in the number of adults who have tried electronic cigarettes (E-cigs). Last year about 21% of adult smokers used E-cigs, which is just about double to 10% that had tried them in 2010. These new numbers suggest that overall; about 6% of all adults (Smokers and non-smokers combined) have tried E-cigs.

The numbers have increased among both sexes and more notably in those aged 45 to 54, Caucasians, people living in the South and among former and current smokers.

The increase can be due to a couple influences. Policy change makes smoking more expensive than ever and limits the places were people can publicly smoke more than ever. There is also more information available on the hazards of the habit than ever before. So, its believed that smokers are either getting smarter or just getting tired of being publicly and financially put out.

The CDC does warn, however, that although E-cigs do contain fewer toxins than traditional cigarettes, these products haven’t been around long enough for doctors and scientist to fully understand the long-term effects of their usage. In particular, the CDC warns that those who use E-cigs while still smoking traditional cigarettes may be increasing their health risks.

“There is still a lot we don’t know about these products, including whether they will decrease or increase use of traditional cigarettes,’ said CDC Director Tom Frieden, MD, MPH