As coronavirus cases surge in Georgia and around the nation, some health groups cite growing evidence that smokers and e-cigarette users are at greater risk.
Dr. Susan Bailey is President of the American Medical Association.
“To make matters worse, there’s been a recent study out of Stanford University that has shown that adolescents and young adults that vape, that don’t have any apparent lung disease, are at an increased risk of COVID-19 complications as well.”
Matthew Meyers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, says the issue is of particular concern when it comes to teens and young adults.
“By selling them in flavors, it masks the harshness, and are sweet. Don't leave any tell-tale on your breath or on your clothes, and come in these very sleek looking products that look like a flash drive. What they have done is they’ve convinced a generation that no longer sees cigarette smoking as cool, that these products are cool and they’re risk-free.”
There are resources for users wanting to kick the habit.
“You can get the information at our website tobaccofreekids.org”
“You can call the CDC at 1-800-QUIT-NOW, or on the web smokefree.gov, or for teens, teen.smokefree.gov.”
Some 3.6 million kids nationwide currently use e-cigarettes.