Read articles from United States of America

September 06, 2024 by thehill.com

The number of teenagers who use electronic cigarettes in 2024 dropped significantly from its peak in 2019, according to new federal data, which officials touted as a major public health victory against vaping products. Half a million fewer U.S. youth reported current use of e-cigarettes in 2024 compared to 2023. In 2024, an estimated 6 percent of all middle and high school students said they currently used e-cigarettes, a drop from last year’s 7.7 percent, according to the survey. 

September 06, 2024 by filtermag.org

A group of attorneys general and members of Congress filed amicus briefs with the Supreme Court, arguing against the sale and marketing of flavored vaping products. They claim vaping leads to health risks, especially among youth. The FDA's authorization of some menthol vaping products is criticized. While allegations suggest vaping is linked to lung cancer, solid evidence is lacking. Despite claims of negative health consequences, flavored vapes are seen as less harmful than cigarettes they can replace. Some studies linking vapes to harm are criticized for methodological flaws. Additionally, bans on flavored vapes may increase cigarette sales. The debate highlights conflicting views on vaping's impact on public health.

August 16, 2024 by alaskabeacon.com

Alaska's recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows troubling increases in mental health issues among teens, particularly girls. Depressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts, and cyberbullying have risen since 2011. The survey also highlights declining rates of healthy weight maintenance, physical activity, and sugary beverage consumption among students. However, positive trends include decreased tobacco and e-cigarette use. The state aims to address these issues through public health initiatives and support for youth. Efforts to combat vaping include comprehensive strategies and alternatives to school suspensions.

August 15, 2024 by marijuanamoment.net

Nearly 8 in 10 cannabis consumers in legalized states buy their marijuana from licensed retailers, supporting regulated markets. A poll by NuggMD shows 77% purchase from legal stores, with 65% buying exclusively there. In California and New York, consumers also favor legal outlets, but some uncertainty exists over store licenses. Daily cannabis use surpasses alcohol, with fewer reported secondhand harms. Teen marijuana use has decreased post-legalization. Some consumers would return to the illicit market if cannabis became a prescription drug. Pain management is a common reason for marijuana use, with fruity strains being popular.

August 14, 2024 by newsweek.com

Despite the widespread drop in smoking over the past decades, cigarettes are still more popular than vaping. In a new Gallup poll, roughly 11 percent of Americans said they smoked a cigarette in the past week, compared with 7 percent who said the same for electronic cigarettes. Overall, traditional cigarette smoking remains at roughly an 80-year low. In 2022, cigarette smoking reached a record low of 11 percent and has stayed around that level ever since.

August 13, 2024 by newsweek.com

New e-cigarettes may contain nicotine-like chemicals with unknown impacts on our health, Yale scientists have warned. Despite interacting with the same receptors in our brains, these chemicals—called nicotine analogs—are not held to the same FDA restrictions and scrutiny as other nicotine products, allowing them to be marketed with "youth-appealing flavors" and avoid tobacco taxes. An FDA spokesperson has said that the new chemicals may be even more potent than nicotine, with potential impacts on adolescent brain development, learning and memory.

August 09, 2024 by cbsnews.com

A study in Boston suggests that a text message support program can assist teenagers in overcoming vaping addiction, as e-cigarettes are prevalent among youth. The research, involving over 1,500 teenage e-cigarette users, showed that those who received daily interactive messages with coping strategies and social support were more likely to quit vaping after seven months. This indicates the potential effectiveness of text message interventions in addressing teen vaping habits.

August 09, 2024 by reuters.com

A handful of North American companies which see potential for vape-like devices to ease migraines and respiratory diseases such as asthma have a long road to convince health authorities and patients that their products can be the future of inhaled medication. Two companies, Qnovia and MIIST Therapeutics, have developed vape-like devices based on technology used in existing medical nebulisers, which turns liquid medications into a fine mist. Another company, Greentank, says it has developed a way to vaporise substances via a heating chip that addresses safety concerns with current vapes and may offer a better way to treat ailments like migraines.

August 06, 2024 by iwf.org

The 2023 Nebraska Youth Risk Behavior Survey results show record low traditional tobacco use among high school students, with a significant decrease in youth vaping since 2019. Combustible cigarettes use among high schoolers decreased by 66.1% for ever-use and 82.6% for current use from 2019 to 2023. Smokeless tobacco use also declined by 47.2%. Youth vaping decreased by 54.1% for ever-use and 59.6% for current use. While youth vaping has decreased, adult e-cigarette use rose by 26.9% in 2022. These trends highlight successful public health efforts in reducing youth tobacco use and support for harm reduction tools like e-cigarettes for adult smokers in Nebraska.

July 30, 2024 by statnews.com

In 2023, substance use remained high, with vaping rising and smoking declining. Rates of mental illness and substance use in the US stayed stable, showcasing ongoing crises. Survey data emphasized the lack of available treatment for those with behavioral health issues. Despite slight shifts in nicotine consumption, alcohol and drug use levels were mostly steady, with fewer people misusing fentanyl. Still, over 48 million Americans met substance use disorder criteria, but few received treatment. The survey highlighted a rise in vaping but a decrease in smoking, particularly among teens. Mental health concerns persisted, with a significant portion of the population affected.