State law amended to restrict youth use of vaping devices

CONCORD — Highlighting a growing epidemic among adolescents in New Hampshire, e-cigarettes are now the tobacco product most commonly used by youth in the state. According to the 2017 N.H. Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 24 percent of high school-aged youth reported having used electronic vaping products (including e-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-pipes, vape pipes, vaping pens, e-hookahs, and hookah pens) in the past 30 days. This compares to the national average of 13 percent.

“The dramatic increase of e-cigarette use among youth in New Hampshire over the past few years puts a new generation at risk for nicotine addiction,” said Tricia Tilley, Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health Services Deputy Director. “Youth use of any tobacco product, including e-cigarettes, promotes nicotine addiction. All of us interact with youth every day, and we need to do everything we can to address the escalating risk of nicotine addiction for youth. This work requires the participation of parents, educators, health care providers, retailers and policy makers.”