E-cigarettes no less problematic

Dr. Timothy Tolan’s Sept. 1 guest column, “Doctors should embrace e-cigarettes as a method of smoking reduction,” is reckless.

E-cigarettes are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not considered smoking cessation therapy or nicotine replacement therapy. If they were, they would be found behind the pharmacist’s counter, not at for-profit retail outlets.

To significantly reduce the number of smokers, prevention is key, as 90% of smokers start before age 18. E-cigarettes are the most common tobacco product used by youths and, even though the numbers are dropping, it is astounding that over 1.8 million children nationwide use them.

Companies market these products in flavors that appeal to youths, as it is a lucrative business. There are products on the market with catchy names, in bright colors, and they are featured in high-cost ad campaigns showing youths embracing a smoking lifestyle.

I urge my fellow physicians and community advocates to join me in supporting evidence-based, approved approaches to address the public health smoking epidemic. We must advocate strongly to expand indoor clean air laws to protect employees and their families who work in smoke-filled rooms throughout the state. I also strongly support investing in increasing primary care access and screening coverage to help those who smoke to quit, and to keep youths from starting in the first place.

The writer is e-cigarette chapter champion of the Nevada chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.