U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut held a forum in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to highlight the youth vaping epidemic.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says nearly a third of high school students nationwide are using tobacco products — especially e-cigarettes and vaping products.
DeLauro, who has called for a ban on all e-cigarette products, says what they’re inhaling is frightening.
“Ethylene glycol, which is used in antifreeze. Propylene glycol, used as toner for laser printers. Vitamin E oil, implicated in the outbreak of lung illnesses. Fine particles of carcinogens, fruit flavorings to attract youth and then nicotine, the addictive chemical that hurts children’s brain development.”
High school students and principals from Long Island attended the forum, including East Hampton High School student Samantha Rose Prince. She testified how students have learned to vape in class without getting caught.
“One friend starts with it in their pocket. Another friend will sit down next to them, transferring the JUUL into their sleeve. The flavored vapor, entwined with nicotine, seeps into and pillages their lungs while the toxic chemical travels to the brain to seize control. Then the faint remnants of their hit are almost inevitably exhaled beneath the neckline of their sweatshirt, and with that the vile device is passed on to their next victims. It has progressed to a point where I’m no longer just hanging out with my friends. I am hanging out with my friends and their JUULs.”
Prince says the addiction is not confined to high school. She says she has seen students as young as 11-years-old vaping.
