The state Department of Health is urging all New Yorkers who use electronic cigarette (e-cigarettes) and other vapor devices to make a New Year’s resolution to quit using these highly addictive and dangerous products.
While traditional tobacco use has been declining for decades, a new Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey report published by the Department found that among New York adults, the highest rate of e-cigarette use is among young adults, ages 18 to 24, which is more than triple the e-cigarette use rate for adults 25 years of age and older.
“According to research, both e-cigarette users and those who are exposed to secondhand emissions may experience long-term health issues,” state Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said. “I encourage New Yorkers who use e-cigarettes to ring in the New Year by making a resolution to quit using e-cigarettes and other vaping devices, which contain highly addictive nicotine, in order to prevent long-term harm to people’s health.”
Key findings of the Department’s latest BRFSS report include:
• The prevalence of e-cigarette use among adults in New York State in 2020 is 4.1 percent.
• E-cigarette use is significantly higher among the following groups of adults: 18 to 24 years of age at 10.6 percent; current cigarette smokers at 10.2 percent.
• Individuals reporting frequent mental distress at 6.9 percent.
• Individuals enrolled in Medicaid at 5.9 percent.
• Individuals identifying as male at 5.7 percent.
The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is an annual telephone survey of adults developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and conducted in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several US Territories. The New York BRFSS is administered by the Department of Health to provide statewide and regional information on behaviors, risk factors, and use of preventive health services related to the leading causes of chronic and infectious diseases, disability, injury, and death.
Officials said that while 1.7 million adults in New York still smoke cigarettes, many also use cigars, smokeless tobacco, and electronic cigarettes. According to the Department, tobacco use continues to be a serious public health issue, with more than 22,000 persons in New York state dying from diseases brought on by smoking and secondhand smoke exposure each year.
Another report on cigarette use, recently highlighted by the Department for the Great American Smokeout, showed that disparities and inequities in cigarette smoking and addiction persist among adults in New York State and nationally.
New York state has enacted policies to promote the health and well-being of all New Yorkers. As of November 2017, the use of electronic cigarettes is banned indoors everywhere that smoking is prohibited in New York. Additionally, as of May 2020, the sale of flavored nicotine vapor products is prohibited.
The free and confidential state Smokers’ Quitline assists thousands of New Yorkers every year in their attempts to break free from smoking and other tobacco use by providing information, expert quit coaching, support, and free starter kits of nicotine replacement therapy. Call 1-866-NYQUITS (1-866-697-8487), text 716-309-4688, or visit the New York State Smokers’ Quitline at https://www.nysmokefree.com/ for more information or to chat with a Quit Coach.