Page 14 - The Indian EYE 072823

COMMUNITY OP-ED JULY 28, 2023 | The Indian Eye 14

A Sacred Obligation: Protecting Our

Youth from Flavored Vapes

In 2021, more than 1 in 10 public high school students across the country reported using e-cigarettes in a 30-day sample

period. And flavored e-cigarettes with their colorful packaging and appealing flavors are the gateway to long-term
e-cigarette use. 81% of first-time users, ages 12-17, started with flavored products. Most have never previously smoked. An

overwhelming majority of youth e-cigarette users choose to vape because they were attracted to the flavors

ERIC ADAMS

ne of my most sacred obli-
gations as Mayor is keeping
Oour children safe from harm.
And one of the leading risks to their
health is nicotine-based products,
including cigarettes and e-cigarettes,
also known as vapes.
We have made great progress, as
a city and nation, keeping our youth
safe from traditional cigarette smok-
ing—bringing down youth smoking Some companies are luring our children by advertising youth-friendly vape flavors such as “strawberry milkshake,” “cola,” and “pina colada.” Their
rates from 23% in 2000 to 2.3% in product packaging often features colorful, child-friendly cartoon characters designed to catch the eye of young people (Representative/File photo)
2021. But with the rise of vaping, nic-
otine addiction among middle and
high school students is once again major, federal lawsuit against four ity to learn and concentrate and cause they were attracted to the fla-
on the rise. Vapes are packed with distributors of flavored, disposable withdrawal symptoms can include vors.
nicotine, a toxic and highly addictive e-cigarettes. Our lawsuit names four irritability, anxiety, and depression, We will not allow this greedy,
chemical that is particularly damag- distributors of flavored vape that are worsening mental health at a time harmful, and openly illegal behavior
ing to adolescent minds and bodies. putting profits over people and hurt- when our young people are already to continue. We will not allow these
Worse still, companies are ing our young people. We are seek- struggling. nicotine-pushers to harm the health
luring our children by advertising ing a court order that will prevent In 2021, more than 1 in 10 pub- of our children, to put our students
youth-friendly vape flavors such these distributors from further deliv- lic high school students across the on the path to addiction, make them
as “strawberry milkshake,” “cola,” ering their dangerous flavored prod- country reported using e-cigarettes customers and users for life, and
and “pina colada.” Their product ucts into New York City. And we are in a 30-day sample period. And fla- expose them to unknown long-term
packaging often features colorful, asking them to pay for the harm they vored e-cigarettes with their colorful health effects.
child-friendly cartoon characters have already caused our children. packaging and appealing flavors are We will do whatever it takes to
designed to catch the eye of young When children see youth-friend- the gateway to long-term e-cigarette keep our children safe, and our law
people. ly packaging, they may think: ‘This use. 81% of first-time users, ages 12- suit seeks to stop these four compa-
This is illegal. And my adminis- is something I’d like to try. This is 17, started with flavored products. nies dead in their tracks.
tration will not stand by while com- something that won’t hurt me.’ Fam- Most have never previously smoked.
panies put our children at risk. ilies should be clear: that is 100% An overwhelming majority of youth Eric Adams is
Last week, we announced a false. Nicotine may affect the abil- e-cigarette users choose to vape be- the Mayor of New York City, NY

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