Officials seek reforms after Utah youth e-cigarette use soars

Use of e-cigarettes by Utah youths quintupled in the last 5 years, according to a new report. Now, lawmakers want to restrict the industry to drive down usage rates. After hearing the report, some lawmakers lamented the fact that Utah has “consistently been a leader” in low tobacco usage, but seemed to be leading national trends in the opposite direction with e-cigarettes. Part of the reason may be that Mormon youth may not believe e-cigarettes violate the faith’s prohibition on tobacco. Around 1 in 10 Utah youth in grades 8, 10, and 12 reported vaping in the last 30 days alone.