Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News) — E-cigarette users across the United States may be blowing a cloud of solitude to culminate the end of flavored nicotine products. After failing to keep nicotine out of teenagers’ hands, Juul announced that the company will suspend production of the majority of their flavored nicotine products.
Almost 20 percent of teenagers in New York use or have tried nicotine products in the past, according to the New State State Department of Health and the Truth Initiative. Despite New York being the most taxing tobacco state, young adults have been vaping at almost twice the national average, according to the report.
Even with flavored nicotine products slowly coming off the shelves, some experts think there is still danger to come.
“Nicotine is more dangerous than people think, it’s one of the most addictive substances that I deal with,” said Suzanne Brisk, a certified tobacco treatment specialist at SUNY Upstate.
Brisk believes that New York state isn’t doing enough to help people dealing with nicotine addiction. She thinks this is a systematic problem that will resurface later if the issues aren’t addressed.
“In 20 or 30 years, when the teenagers of today develop health problems, then the public will take notice,” Brisk said.
However, national groups are working towards battling tobacco addiction across the country.
Thursday marks the Eleventh anniversary of the American Cancer Society’s “Great American Smokeout,” a program started to help people quit smoking and battle addiction. Events across the country are set to begin tomorrow morning, according to the group’s website.
Local colleges like Syracuse University and Le Moyne are joining the initiative to help teens battling with addiction. Free counseling and informational sessions can be located on both campuses starting Thursday morning and will continue throughout the day.
