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New Study Examines Teen Use of Flavored Tobacco Products in New York City

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The Oxford Journal’s Nicotine & Tobacco Research included a study which examines the use of flavored tobacco products in New York City by teenagers published on July 30, 2014. Nicotine & Tobacco Research is one of the world’s few peer-reviewed journals devoted exclusively to the study of nicotine and tobacco.

While menthol cigarettes are known to influence teen smoking, less is known about the link between teen use of other flavored tobacco products, including cigars and dip, and cigarette smoking. Using the New York City 2010 Special Communities Putting Prevention to Work Youth Risk Behavior Survey data, researchers found that the rates of teens who ever tried flavored tobacco products were strongly associated with the rates of teens who currently smoke. You can read more of this study here.

This study raises concerns regarding flavored electronic smoking devices and teen smoking rates. In response to the FDA looking into providing regulation of electronic cigarettes, the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California San Francisco has released information about their concerns with flavored electronic cigarettes and use by minors. Their comments to the proposed regulations can be read here.