E-Cigarettes Worry Parents: Will They Encourage Kids to Smoke Tobacco?

It turns out that e-cigarettes may be worrying parents quite a bit. Adults nationwide are concerned about the use of these devices by children and teens; in fact, 44 percent indicate worries that e-cigarettes will encourage kids to use tobacco products.

E-cigarettes are battery-operated devices that look like cigarettes. However, they don't burn tobacco. Instead, the electronic devices have replaceable cartridges of liquid containing nicotine, which is inhaled as a vapor along with flavors like chocolate, fruit, candy or even tobacco. Advocates of these devices argue that they're a healthier alternative to tobacco smoking and that they may even help smokers quit.

Yet this doesn't seem to assuage parent fears. Researchers administered a poll in November 2013 to 2,124 adults age 18 and over. Within this poll, arguments were presented both for and against e-cigarettes. Then the adults were asked for their opinions about the devices and possible regulations and laws.

So what did they find? The researchers discovered that in the poll, 86 percent of adults said that they had heard of e-cigarettes, but only 13 percent had ever tried one. Among parents, 48 percent said that they were very or somewhat concerned that their children might try e-cigarettes. They also found that 65 percent of adults think e-cigarettes should have health warnings like tobacco cigarettes and nicotine products.

"This poll shows high levels of concern about e-cigarettes and the possibility that kids who try them could start smoking tobacco," said Matthew M. Davis, one of the researchers, in a news release.

That said, this level of concern is somewhat unsurprising. E-cigarettes are still a relatively new product, and little research has been done on long-term health effects of using them. This poll, though, shows that there is a level of concern among the public and that more research should possibly be conducted about the devices.

"We hope the results of this poll spur more discussion about what governments can do to regulate e-cigarettes or restrict sales to minors," said Davis in a news release. "After all, taking these steps now will allow us to protect the health of both children and adults in the future."

The full report can be found online here.