American Dental Association Statement on Vaping
In light of recent reports of vaping-related injuries and deaths, the American Dental Association (ADA) wishes to express its opposition to any use of oral tobacco, including vaping nicotine from e-cigarettes, and urges people using any type of tobacco product to quit.
CHICAGO — In light of recent reports of vaping-related injuries and deaths, the American Dental Association (ADA) wishes to express its opposition to any use of oral tobacco, including vaping nicotine from e-cigarettes, and urges people using any type of tobacco product to quit.
“Vaping is not a safe alternative to cigarettes or other tobacco products,” said ADA President Chad Gehani, DDS. “When it comes to your teeth and gums, vaping could be just as dangerous as cigarette smoking.”
The ADA has advocated for the development of a body of scientific research examining the effects of both tobacco and non-tobacco nicotine delivery products as part of the ADA policy on tobacco use. In September, the ADA House of Delegates passed a resolution stipulating that the word “vaping” and any other alternative nicotine delivery systems be added to the existing ADA policy focused on tobacco use prevention, research and regulation. “While the long-term oral health effects of vaping are under scientific review, as health professionals we must be prudent in protecting consumers from products that are harmful to their health,” Gehani said.
The ADA and more than 50 organizations led by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids commended the White House for its plan to remove all non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes from the market, including mint and menthol flavors. The ADA also joined 50 other health groups asking members of Congress to cosponsor the Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019. The bill would create stricter regulations for vaping devices and liquids, including controls on sales, advertising, flavoring and more.
The ADA is a supporting organization of the newly formed bipartisan Congressional Caucus to End the Youth Vaping Epidemic, which will review needed legislative solutions that will protect American youth from the dangers of vaping and nicotine addiction.
In response to ongoing insistences of lung injuries related to e-cigarettes, the Centers for Disease Control has issued the official name EVALI, which stands for e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury. The organization also released interim guidance for health professionals to diagnose, evaluate and provide treatment for patients with symptoms of the injury.
For more information about the ADA’s advocacy efforts around vaping and tobacco products, visit ADA.org/tobacco.
