US: Raise Legal Age For Buying Tobacco, E-cigarette: AAP

Source from:  NWR 10/28/2015

Leaders in pediatric health are calling for the U.S. government to tighten regulations on cigarettes and tobacco products. On Monday, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to create strict guidelines for the marketing and sales of these products. The recommendations, presented at the National Conference & Exhibitions of the American Academy of Pediatrics, suggest increasing the minimum age for all tobacco products-including e-cigarettes-to 21.

"The developing brains of children and teens are particularly vulnerable to nicotine, which is why the growing popularity of e-cigarettes among adolescents is so alarming and dangerous to their long-term health," Karen Wilson, who chairs the AAP's Section on Tobacco Control, said in a statement.

Though tobacco use among teens has decreased since the 1970's, smoking remains a major public health threat and e-cigarette is a growing concern. A leading U.S. pediatricians' group is urging stronger regulation of both types of products to protect young people.

Toxic substances have been found in the vapor emitted from e-cigarettes, and the safety of heating flavored chemicals on the lungs is largely unknown, so there is plenty of cause for concern.

Nicotine is highly addictive and highly toxic, especially to a child. The liquid nicotine used to refill an e-cigarette and other electronic nicotine delivery systems is highly concentrated. Children who are exposed on their skin, or who ingest the liquid, are at risk of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness and seizures. One toddler died from ingesting the concentrated nicotine solution late last year.

Chris Hansen of the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network praised the study when it came out in March, saying "powerful interventions are needed to keep youth from lifelong addictions to these deadly products."

The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a statement calling the report "a crucial contribution to the debate on tobacco access for young people."

"There is no safe way to use tobacco," said Dr. Sandra G. Hassink, the academy's president.

The FDA cannot raise the age limit nationwide. The minimum age in four states is 19, and in several local jurisdictions including New York City have raised the legal age to 21. Historically, the tobacco industry has called for"responsible" consumption of tobacco products.

"Tobacco is unique among consumer products in that it severely injures and kills when used exactly as intended," states the AAP policy statement. "Protecting children from tobacco products is one of the most important things that a society can do to protect children's health." Enditem