On September 9, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published their latest findings on vaping prevalence among youth.
The total number of US youth who vape has declined by almost 2 million, with an estimated 3.6 million middle or high school students now vaping.
The CDC found that 19.6 percent of high school students and 4.7 percent of middle school students reported “current” e-cigarette use. But the large majority of use is not daily: Only 38.9 percent of high school vapers and 20 percent of middle school vapers reported vaping on at least 20 out of the previous 30 days.
According to CDC Director Robert Redfield, the decline in the number of youth who use e-cigarettes is an “achievement.” However, he quickly pivoted to a negative tone.
“Although the decline in e-cigarette use among our Nation’s youth is a notable public health achievement, our work is far from over,” said Redfield in a press statement. “Youth e-cigarette use remains an epidemic, and CDC is committed to supporting efforts to protect youth from this preventable health risk.”
David Sweanor, professor of law and chair of the Advisory Board of the Centre for Health Law, Policy and Ethics at the University of Ottawa, Canada, believes the CDC has misbehaved. “The CDC has become politicized in recent years, due to pressure from the administration but also by choice of CDC officials who have prioritized personal moralistic views in place of objectivity,” he told Filter.
Michael McGrady – Filter Mag – October 6, 2020.