‘It’s an epidemic’: Nebraska physician warns teenagers of vaping dangers

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Nebraska physicians are seeing an alarming increase in the number of young people using e-cigarettes. 

“Right now, it’s being a menace in society, and I would say it’s an epidemic,” said Dr. Paramvijay Dhalla, a family medicine physician in Omaha. 

From 2015 to 2021, usage of e-cigarettes by teens rose from 9% to 14%, according to the Nebraska Youth Tobacco Survey.

“I’m seeing a lot of cases of vape, and they come with respiratory problems,” Dhalla said.

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More than 2.5 million youths reported using an e-cigarette last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“The main thing is, do not try it,” Dhalla said.  “That’s the main intervention.  Do not try it; it’s super addictive.”

Dhalla said data are still being collected to learn more about the side effects of vaping.

But studies already have shown that it’s even more addictive than regular cigarettes.