A Record Number Of Teens Are Vaping, But Their Opioid Use Has Declined
A federal study released Monday shows the number of high school seniors who reported vaping within the last month almost doubled from 2017 to 2018.
LEARN MOREAs More Teens Pick Up Vapes, FDA Looks For Effective Regulation Plan
The FDA has long looked to regulate the burgeoning e-cigarette industry, and they're starting to implement some policies to do so.
As More Teens Pick Up Vapes, FDA Looks For Effective Regulation Plan
Getty Images / Scott Olson
December 18, 2018
In 2018, the FDA and U.S. Surgeon General both labeled teen vaping an “epidemic.” To control it going forward, experts say regulators will need more specific rules than what we've seen so far.
Health groups sued the FDA in March 2018 for delaying stronger regulations of new e-cigarette products. The planned federal crackdown on vape sales in retail stores and gas stations isn't as strict as the outright ban regulators had originally considered. Meanwhile, researchers found youth vaping almost doubled in 2018. They said the FDA's responses so far "clearly haven't worked."
For what it's worth, the FDA is ready to try new solutions. It has a hearing scheduled for January 2019 to investigate whether new drug therapies could help youth smokers quit e-cigarettes.
And while the FDA wrestles with the problem, some local governments could step in with their own regulation. In June of 2018, San Francisco residents overwhelmingly approved a ban on sales of flavored tobacco products. The New York state legislature has plans to push for a statewide ban in 2019.
9:14
What living with long COVID is really like
Scripps News talked to a dozen people with long-term COVID symptoms about their current experience and their hope for the future.
Not enough patients disclose cognitive issues to doctors
Disclosing memory and cognitive loss might help treat the early onset of Alzheimer's disease, experts say.
3:03
Research finds climate change is making allergy season worse
A review of data shows the rate of temperature increase correlates to a rise in the number of patients suffering from nasal and sinus problems.
Top Stories
9:14
What living with long COVID is really like
Scripps News talked to a dozen people with long-term COVID symptoms about their current experience and their hope for the future.
1:43
Inside the stadium: Taylor Swift kicks off 'Eras' tour
The first weekend of shows in Taylor Swift's "Eras" tour is in the books, and fans and reviewers alike were not disappointed.
2:14
Navajo Nation fights for water access in front of Supreme Court
Navajo Nation was left out of Colorado River allocations as western states fight over its resources. Now they're fighting for reassignments.
