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Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable diseases and deaths in the United States, but we still see an increase in tobacco use among middle school students, high school and college-age students in recent years.

why? Two words: electronic cigarette.

According to a study by the National Library of Medicine, e-cigarettes, such as e-cigarettes and JUUL, are the most commonly used tobacco products for high school and middle school students.

The report pointed out that in 2020, 23.6% of high school students and 6.7% of middle school students used some type of tobacco products, and e-cigarettes are the most popular way for children to obtain nicotine.

In terms of products, current high school students' use of cigars, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, hookahs, heated tobacco products and pipe tobacco is 5% or less of each product.

This trend continues to exist in universities, and this is something I often witness. I can’t go to concerts or events unless I’m tired of being shrouded in hazy smoke from time to time all night.

The reason I am so strongly opposed to e-cigarettes is, to put it simply, I think it is stupid.

Electronic cigarettes are a waste of time and money. According to an article in SingleCare 2021, e-cigarette sales in 2018 exceeded US$15.7 billion, and it is estimated that by 2023, the world will reach US$40 billion.

Imagine all the good things you can do in the world with $40 billion. We see young people fighting against nicotine addiction rather than making better use of the money.

As a society, we have come so far since the 1960s and 1970s, where the most famous Hollywood actors continue to smoke in TV and movies, ruthlessly glorifying cigarettes as "cool" and "fashionable." According to an article by the American Lung Association, the use of traditional cigarettes has dropped by 68% from 1965 to 2018.

This apparent decline is due to the increased implementation of evidence-based tobacco control strategies at the local, state, and national levels. According to a report from the National Library of Medicine, this combined with the FDA's product supervision has prevented and reduced the use of all forms of tobacco products by American youth.

Due to these regulations, the use of ordinary cigarettes has declined in recent years, but the use of e-cigarettes has obviously replaced it and will continue to rise. I think that the above-mentioned provisions are not enough.

We need to do more than just make regulations, because, as most people know, it is still relatively easy for minors to obtain tobacco products. I mean, if middle school students and high school students are really so difficult to get them, then the statistics I mentioned before will not be as dramatic as them.

A company called Truth decided to adopt an interesting advertising campaign style to curb the rise of e-cigarettes among young people. How did they do it? By advertising e-cigarettes, e-cigarettes and JUUL as "depression sticks."

The website is cleverly set up to display the exact "truth" they think about these tobacco products in bright yellow and orange letters. It starts by jokingly asking the audience "Why be happy when you can be sad?" Of course, no one will make themselves sad willingly, right? The advertising campaign claims that millions of people have already done so through e-cigarettes.

"The nicotine in e-cigarettes amplifies feelings of depression and anxiety," the website claims. This is a bold claim, which is why when scrolling through, it explains the statement.

According to the advertising campaign, a single JUUL cartridge contains the same amount of nicotine as 20 cigarettes. Toxic chemicals can have a negative impact on the nervous system. These toxic chemicals "may contribute to the observed relationship between e-cigarettes and depression." Associate."

The advertising campaign website finally highlighted the mental health resources available and the resources available for nicotine addiction.

In an era of positive mental health visibility and increased practice, I believe this advertising campaign may be the necessary answer to reduce the use of e-cigarettes among young people. Today, more people than ever are open to depression, anxiety and overall mental health, which is why I think this sport actually has a chance to make a difference.

By emphasizing the negative effects of e-cigarettes, not only on physical health but also on mental health, this activity aims to penetrate deep into people's hearts. Compared with the past, it strives to resonate with our overall care for our current quality of life.

E-cigarettes have controlled the lives of many young people. Facts have proved that it will have a negative impact on their lives. Therefore, I ask you to reconsider the next time you pick up an e-cigarette, because it may have a serious negative impact on your mental health.

You can contact Cam Kauffman at kauf8536@stthomas.edu.

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