Surgeon General issues warning about teen vaping

Young people around the country are taking up vaping at an alarming rate.

Tuesday, the U.S. Surgeon General called it an “epidemic”.

“I do not use that word lightly,” said Dr. Jerome Adams, while speaking during a news conference.

Numbers released Monday by the National Institute for Drug Abuse, show one in five high school seniors have vaped nicotine in the last month – an increase of 37% – meaning more than one million teens have taken up vaping in just the past year alone

The increase was the largest for any substance use in the survey’s 43 year history.

A recent valley high school grad talked about vaping on campus.

“I saw a lot of it, especially Juul, in the bathrooms, and especially sports players,” said Palm Desert resident Brittney Mistriel.

ABC News Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Jen Ashton says many kids think e-cigs are healthy – or at least healthier than cigarettes.

“This is part of the marketing campaign. these are nicotine delivery devices. We have to remember nicotine is a psycho active substance that affects the brain in a developing teenager that can affect impulse control, decision making, cognitive function,” said Ashton.

The Surgeon General is urging new local restrictions including taxes and indoor vaping bans to combat youth e-cigarette use.

Its a request supported by young people we spoke with.

“Yeah, I think its bad, especially Juul, the new vape cigarette, with different flavors that appeals to kids,” said Palm Desert resident Tanner Wilson.

“I think my generation has an issue with naivete, and not taking social health warnings seriously,” said Mistriel.

As part of the effort to curb vaping by young people, some California lawmakers are pushing a bill that would ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes.

At one Rancho Mirage smoke shop, a clerk would not comment on the warning from the Surgeon General, but said his shop has a strict policy of not selling products to anyone under 21 years old.

The legislation being discussed in Sacramento would only ban store sales, and vending machine sales of flavored e-cigarettes. Online sales would be allowed to those who can verify they are at least 21 years old.

No word yet on when that bill will come up for a vote.

In California, 21 is the minimum age for buying vaping and tobacco products