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. NUMBER 3 SEPTEMBER 2019 • 55