It’s that time of year again: air conditioners are on full blast, crowds are flocking to Brighton Beach and Coney Island, the familiar jingle of the ice-cream truck can be heard in the distance and … there are clouds of smoke?
More and more often, I’ve noticed people smoking in public spaces, sometimes in enclosed areas and specifically, in public transit. It comes as a genuine shock each time because the Smoke Free Air Act, signed into law in 2002, prohibits smoking and the use of electronic cigarettes in most workplaces and public spaces. This includes areas near hospital entrances, in parks, beaches and pedestrian plazas.
Additionally, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority states, “Riders may not smoke or use electronic cigarettes anywhere on New York City Transit property which includes outdoor stations.” Violators can receive up to $50 in fines.
And yet, in the past few months, I still continue to see smoking on train platforms, train cars and buses. Even worse? It’s often a teenager or young adult puffing away.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are a few factors that have contributed to the rise in youth/teen smoking. First, it’s about marketing. In 2021, seven in 10 U.S. middle and high school students reported exposure to e-cigarette marketing. Students reported seeing e-cigarette advertisements in retail settings, the internet, television, streaming services and movies.
Not only are youth being bombarded with ads for smoking and vapes, but they’re also being coerced by e-cigarette flavoring. A study by scientists from the University of Vermont found that most youth who use e-cigarettes first start with a flavored variety. Some of the common flavors that young people mentioned include fruit, candy, dessert, mint and menthol.
The tobacco industry can say what it will, but it’s abundantly clear to most people: fun flavors and bright packaging are tactics to entice younger audiences. According to the CDC, in 2023, about one out of every 22 middle school students (4.6%) reported using electronic cigarettes in the past 30 days. Most e-cigarettes contain the highly addictive chemical nicotine, which can interfere with brain development, especially at such a young age. Nicotine can harm the parts of an adolescent's brain that control attention, learning, mood and impulse control, as reported by the CDC.
It's imperative that we remain vocal about these issues, not only to better our own health, but the health of our communities.
So this summer, instead of blowing smoke in a train car, blow off some steam by riding a bike, taking a swim at a neighborhood pool or simply stop and smell the roses. The possibilities are endless for a smoke-free summer.
For more information on NYC Smoke-Free or to lend support in ending NYC’s devastating tobacco epidemic please visit www.NYCSmokeFree.org.
Leilah Molina is the Brooklyn Reality Check/Youth Engagement Manager with the NYC Smoke-Free team at the nonprofit Public Health Solutions.
