E-cigarette use has nearly doubled among high school students in the last two years in New York state.
According to a survey released by the New York State Department of Health 10.5 percent of high school students reported that they were using e-cigarettes in 2014. In 2016, that number jumped to 20.6.
"These startling numbers demonstrate both the overwhelming success of New York's anti-smoking programs – which have led to record low teen cigarette use – and the need to close dangerous loopholes that leave e-cigarettes unregulated," Governor Cuomo said.
The survey's good news is that the New York State high school student smoking rate was at a record low in 2016 at 4.3 percent.
Health officials are trying to get the message out that despite their sweet flavor, most e-cigarettes contain nicotine and are harmful to users. Governor Cuomo's 2018 Executive Budget proposes regulating e-cigarettes in a similar manner as traditional cigarettes. This would include e-cigarettes in the state's indoor air law. It would also impose a 10 cent per milliliter levy on vapor products.
Click Here For Access to Health Department Survey on Teen Tobacco Use.