Teenagers Use Multiple Nicotine Products

A new study has found that children and teenage smokers may also use a number of other nicotine delivery systems, HealthDay reports. The findings come from a study conducted by the American Lung Association.

"We are concerned about this because of the potential for increased harms associated with the use of multiple products, such as exposing young people to nicotine during a time when their brains are still developing or risk for nicotine addiction," said lead researcher Youn Ok Lee, a research public health analyst at RTI International in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Other sources of nicotine include:

• E-cigarettes
• Cigars
• Pipes
• Hookahs
• Smokeless Tobacco

Data on almost 25,000 students between 9 and 18 years old who participated in the 2012 National Youth Tobacco Survey showed that nearly 15 percent of children and teens used one or more tobacco products, according to the article. Researchers found that about 3 percent smoked cigarettes only and 4 percent used one non-cigarette product exclusively. The study showed that 3 percent used cigarettes along with another nicotine product and 4 percent used three or more nicotine products.

"Our results also suggest that policymakers should look more closely at the potential influence of flavors and company marketing on kids' use of multiple products. Researchers have looked at these issues when it comes to cigarettes, but less is known about them when it comes to non-cigarette products," Lee said.

"The American Lung Association has been urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to develop regulations for nicotine delivery devices like e-cigarettes. Among other things, this would protect our children from being harmed by them. The agency announced an intent to do so a while ago," said Dr. Norman Edelman, a senior consultant for scientific affairs for the American Lung Association.

The findings were published in Pediatrics.