News

Department of Health Poll Highlights Public Views on E-Cigarettes/Vaping

TRENTON, NJ – November 8, 2019 – Two-thirds of adults still think vaping is a safe activity for them to be involved with — despite being aware of the health risks — but that sentiment changes when it comes to their kids, according to a recent Department of Health poll.

Nearly 90 percent of respondents are clearly aware of the potential health dangers of vaping and e-cigarettes. Sixty-three percent of respondents smoke, whether it be traditional cigarettes or vapes/e-cigarettes, and 60 percent of respondents responded that vaping/e-cigarettes are safe for adults.

Some 84 percent of parents polled said they had discussed the dangers with their kids but acknowledged that one in 10 of their children vape or use e-cigarettes anyway.

“The results demonstrate that we must work even harder to reinforce the message that e-cigarettes and illegal THC vaping products pose a threat to public health and can lead to addiction,” said New Jersey Department of Health Acting Commissioner Judith Persichilli. “The responses to the poll are troubling to us, as health professionals, in that parents’ more permissive and supporting views on vaping can present a troubling hypocrisy to their children, and all children by extension.”

Severe lung illnesses associated with vaping/e-cigarettes have killed 39 people in 24 states and hospitalized more than 2,000 others across 49 states, Washington D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In New Jersey, there are 66 confirmed and probable cases, including one death. The median age of the New Jersey cases is 21.

Vaping has more than doubled since 2017 among eighth, 10th, and 12th graders, according to a study released earlier this month by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. More than 3.6 million youth used e-cigarettes in 2018, according to the National Youth Tobacco Survey, a 78 percent increase from the previous year among high school students and a 48 percent increase in use among middle schoolers.

According to a nationwide CDC/FDA ongoing investigation, illicit THC-containing products purchased on the street play a major role in the outbreak.

The poll also demonstrated that 90 percent of respondents agreed that vape cartridges purchased from other countries or on the street are unregulated and may contain unknown or dangerous substances. Ninety percent also agreed that vape cartridges can contain substances with significant and dangerous health effects.

The 10-question poll of 725 adults was conducted via the Internet, on Facebook and NJ.com, from October 1-17.

In terms of governmental regulation, a surprising 65 percent do not support government regulation on vapes and e-cigarettes, with 24 percent supporting government regulation. 

The Department funded a variety of nonprofit groups and hospitals this year with $7 million for cessation and education efforts — including New Jersey Quitline and $1.9 million for Quitcenters — including youth education and public awareness campaigns.  

VapeFactsNJ.com includes CDC fact sheets, infographics, and other resources for parents, educators, and health care professionals. The site also includes a numerical breakdown of the state’s case count, updated each Tuesday.

A youth-oriented vaping information site, Incorruptible.US , highlights the role of Big Tobacco in the promotion of vaping products to teenaged consumers. Additional information on electronic cigarettes is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The poll’s other findings included that 63 percent of respondents who smoke, the great majority, 96 percent of them use vapes/e-cigarettes. Additionally, most respondents felt they know that their children do not smoke or utilize vapes/e-cigarettes.

In a separate Facebook poll with 600 respondents, nearly 97 percent said they oppose local regulation, including an outright ban on vaping in their hometown.

Acting Commissioner Persichilli said young people use vaping products “because they mistakenly believe they are harmless.” “Nearly half of young people who have used electronic smoking devices tried them because of appealing flavors. These flavors are deliberately marketed to attract young people. Electronic cigarettes contain various chemical substances known to be toxic,” the Commissioner said.

Earlier this month, the Electronic Smoking device task force chaired by Acting Commissioner Persichilli recommended the Governor and Legislature consider:

1. Banning flavored electronic smoking devices and products
2. Increasing penalties for unauthorized sales
3. Restricting online sales
4. Increasing compliance buys
5. Prohibiting advertising and sale of covert products
6. Strengthening point of sale practices
7. Ensuring uniform regulation of the marketplace
8. Developing a centralized State retail registry

Follow the New Jersey Department of Health on Twitter @njdeptofhealth, Facebook /njdeptofhealth, and Snapchat @njdoh.

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