The Journal of the Arkansas Medical Society Med Journal Sept 2019 FInal 2 | Page 7

students using e-cigarettes rose from
2.1 million in 2017 to 3.6 million in
2018.”
That doesn’t mean that young
(or older) vapors won’t work their way
around to traditional cigarettes, too.
A John Hopkins Medicine’s article,
“5 Truths You Need to Know About
Smoking,” shared a study that found
that “most people who intended to
use e-cigarettes to kick the nicotine
habit ended up continuing to smoke
both traditional and e-cigarettes.”
products,” noted Dr. Thompson, who
praised recent positive steps by the
state’s policymakers to address the
problem. “This past session, the
state raised the purchasing age for
tobacco products to 21. We know
that nicotine is as addictive as
cocaine. Nationwide, if we can keep
people from starting to smoke in their
teen years and [thereby] becoming
addicted to nicotine, that will have
the single largest policy effect on the
number one cause of conditions still
in this state: tobacco.”
Perhaps the saddest thing the
Act 580,* passed into law during
article reports: “A new generation is
the 92 nd Arkansas General Assembly,
getting hooked on nicotine,” states
increases the minimum age from
author Michael Joseph Blaha, MD,
18 to 21 to buy, use, or possess
MPH. “What I find most concerning
tobacco products, including vapor
about the rise of vaping is that
and alternative nicotine products.
people who would’ve never smoked Source: https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/youth-tobacco-use/index.html
The law exempts members of
otherwise, especially youth, are taking
up the habit. It’s one thing if you convert from National and Local Attempts to Curb the Trend the Armed Forces as well as those individuals
cigarette smoking to vaping. It’s quite another thing
Last year, the American Medical Association turning 19 by Dec. 31, 2019. Notably, the new
to start up nicotine use with vaping.”
made a strong attempt to publicly address this issue law authorizes certified law enforcement officers
when they called on the FDA to also strengthen and school officials to confiscate tobacco and
The problem is fast-growing nationwide and
its policies related to e-cigarettes and e-cigarette nicotine products from minors and puts in place
in Arkansas. Last fall, The Arkansas Department
marketing practices. “The AMA is committed to penalties for offenders that include community
of Health reported that e-cigarette use here had
keeping harmful tobacco products
service and tobacco education. To Dr.
increased 80% since the previous year.
out of the hands of young people,
Thompson’s point, a 2015 Institute
As information spreads, it’s hard to know what and we will continue to urge the FDA
of Medicine report found that raising
is or isn’t reaching our adolescent population. For to ban flavors, as well as marketing
the minimum age for tobacco sales,
this reason, it’s important to talk to your teen patients practices, that enhance the appeal of
etc., leads to fewer young people
about e-cigarettes and these products to youth,” said Albert J.
starting to smoke and thereby
other ENDS and to make Osbahr, III, MD, a member of the AMA
reduces smoking-related deaths.
sure you and your staff Board of Trustees. “We believe more
Gary Wheeler, MD, is the
fully understand the stringent policies will help protect our
president
of Arkansas Chapter of the
products’ dangers and nation’s youth from the harmful effects
American
Academy of Pediatrics and
Gary Wheeler, MD
effects.
of tobacco use.” Last November, the
a long-time AMS member. While he is
“Most teenagers FDA did propose a ban on flavorings
encouraged by recent legislation, he wants to see
don’t think vaping like gummy bear, peach, and cotton candy used even stronger measures put in place. “Arkansas
is harmful,” warned to entice young buyers of tobacco products sold in has lagged behind on evidence-proven methods
Pediatrician and AMS stores and online.*
Chad Rodgers, MD
to reduce the incidence of tobacco and nicotine
President-Elect Chad
Arkansas is among 15 states that have use,” said Dr. Wheeler, who would like to see the
Rodgers, citing conversations he has had with his
strengthened its policies against e-cigarettes. state increase prices on tobacco products, impose
young patients. “They don’t see the dangers. Many
A recent edition of “Arkansas Week” focused taxes, ban coupons, and prohibit the use of tobacco
of these products get marketed with flavors and
on preventable ailments and their
products in all public spaces. “This
names that appeal to youth, and they are told that
cost to the state. In that edition,
also includes e-cigarettes, which have
it is not harmful.”
President and CEO of Arkansas
no tobacco taxes in Arkansas and are
Dr. Rodgers is clearly alarmed by the Center for Health Improvement Joe
allowed in public spaces under current
misperceptions among his patients and of their Thompson, MD, discussed the newer
law (although private businesses can
parents. “It is now one more issue I have to address. enticement of e-cigarettes and the
prohibit them.) Most puzzling to me is
I have even had a couple of parents who were recent legislation enacted to combat
why Arkansas, which has no tobacco
vaping in the exam room. It is a real public health the problem. “It’s the upstream risks
production activity and has huge
issue that needs to be addressed. I tell patients that that ultimately cause downstream
costs from our high use of tobacco
it is not safer than smoking and I have counseled conditions: almost one in four
as recently documented by ACHI and
Joe Thompson, MD
many patients to stop the habit.”
Arkansans continue to use tobacco
> Continued on page 56.
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