Letter to the editor

It is a well-known fact that secondhand smoke is dangerous. The Montana Clean Indoor Air Act protects our residents from the harmful effects of the toxins in secondhand smoke by banning the use of cigarettes and combustible tobacco in public indoor spaces.

Unfortunately, there is a new threat to our clean air: e-cigarette aerosol.

People have been led to believe that the aerosol released by e-cigarettes is harmless water vapor, when in fact, according to the U.S. Surgeon General, it contains nicotine and ultrafine particles that can be toxic, cause cancer, and lead to heart and respiratory disease.

Even more concerning than the chemicals found in secondhand aerosol is the threat to Carter County’s children. Montana is seeing record low rates of teen smoking, but skyrocketing usage of e-cigarettes. In Montana, 22.5% of youth are regularly using e-cigarettes, over 5 times the rate of adults.

E-cigarette aerosol contains ultrafine particles, cancer-causing chemicals, metals and nicotine, many of which have been associated with cancer, respiratory conditions and heart disease. Some of the chemicals found in e-cigarette liquid and aerosol include: nicotine, glycerol, propylene glycol, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, acetone, and ethanol.

Studies have found levels of nicotine in e-cigarette aerosol similar to levels found in cigarette smoke. Exposure to nicotine, in any form, is unsafe for youth, pregnant women and developing fetuses. Nicotine exposure during adolescence can cause addiction and can harm the developing brain. Research recently published in the Journal of Adolescent Health has shown that youth who use e-cigarettes are more likely to become cigarette smokers in the future.

E-cigarettes are not a safe alternative to traditional tobacco products. Educate yourself and your children on the health dangers associated with these devices. For more information go to https://reactmt.com/ecigarettes/ .

Carter County residents deserve the right to clean indoor air.