Concern: Teen E-Cigarettes Lead to Tobacco?

JAMA Pediatrics, in 2013 and 2014 published studies has researched adolescent e-cigarette use.
As part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Youth Tobacco Survey of 38,000 middle and high school students, teen smoking and tobacco habits were studied.  Between 2011 and 2012, the number of participants in the group using e-cigarettes doubled, and more participants used them in conjunction with regular cigarettes.  This indicates that the e-cigarettes are not used for tobacco cessation, but may actually increase the actual number of regular smokers.  This is particularly troubling because other studies have shown that most long-term adult smokers started at a young age, and continued.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Cigar Smoking and Cancer

Cigarettes vs Cigars

Cigarette smoking causes cancer.  Is it the same for cigar smoking?  Cigars are composed usually of a single type of tobacco, rather than a blend, which is air-cured and fermented.  While a cigarette contains less than one gram of tobacco, a cigar can have up to 20 grams of tobacco.  The National Cancer Institute has established that cigars:

• have a higher level of cancer-causing substances (nitrosamines) than cigarettes
• have more tar, for every gram of tobacco smoked
• have a higher level of toxins, because the wrapper is nonporous and the burning of the tobacco is less complete, resulting in higher concentrations of toxins

Cigars Causes Cancer

Cigars cause cancer of the oral cavity, larynx, esophagus and lung.  It may also cause cancer of the pancreas.  Daily smokers, particularly those who inhale, are at increased risk for developing heart disease.
Even if smoke is not inhaled, high levels of nicotine are absorbed through the lining of the mouth.  Since a single cigar can potentially provide as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes, cigars are addictive.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309