Use of E-Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products by Utah Teens

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Teenagers in Utah use traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes and chew less than most other states in the nation, but the use of e-cigarettes in the beehive state is skyrocketing.

Teens and e-cigarettes

E-cigarettes
Photo by: Vaping360

Noting the “availability of appealing flavors as the primary reason for use”, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that “More than 3 million middle and high school students were current users of e-cigarettes in 2015 ( . . . )” E-cigarettes are claimed to be less dangerous than regular tobacco products, yet there is still much not known about possible adverse effects of e-cigarette use or “vaping”. For one, e-cigarettes typically contain liquid nicotine which is an addictive stimulant and has been noted to increase the risk of psychiatric and memory issues. Another danger is the device itself that is used to deliver the nicotine cocktail.

Exploding e-cigarette

Last month a 13 year old Utah teenager was injured when she borrowed her 16 year old brother’s e-cigarette. Naïve to the proper operation of the electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS), the teen turned the device on, only to have it explode in her face. Fortunately, the girl is expected to heal completely without needing plastic surgery.

All tobacco products

The FDA recognizes e-cigarettes as a danger especially for minors and recently added them to the list of tobacco products so they could be regulated. Utah law has been updated to mirror those new regulations.

• Utah Code 76-10-103-Business owners can face a class C misdemeanor for letting persons under age 19 to use tobacco products including e-cigarettes at their place of business.

• 76-10-104, it is unlawful to provide any tobacco product including e-cigarettes to someone under the age of 19. Those who are found guilty of supplying minors with e-cigarettes can face a class C misdemeanor for their first offense, class B misdemeanor for the second offense, and a class A misdemeanor for any subsequent offenses.

• 76-10-105 states that an 18 year old that has or tries to possess any tobacco product is guilty of a class C misdemeanor while minors under 18 will be fined at least $60 and required to attend a tobacco class.

Education starts at home

It is important for parents to discuss with their teens the dangers and possible criminal charges of using or possessing tobacco and e-cigarettes whether or not they contain nicotine. If a teen is facing criminal charges for e-cigarette use, consult with a juvenile defense attorney immediately.