The “State Health Officer’s Report on E-Cigarettes,” released on Jan. 28, emphasizes the need to educate the public regarding the safety concerns associated with electronic cigarettes.

Our local school teachers tell us that e-cigarettes and nicotine-filled hookah pens, which look like regular pens, have become popular in our county among young people who use them because they are misled by claims that these devices are harmless.

Lack of regulation resulted in public misconceptions and increased usage by teens and young adults who are attracted to the technology and candy flavors.

Teens and young adults are also confused by intense marketing and advertising that drown out the scientific evidence of the harmful effects of these products.

According to this new report, nationally the use of these products tripled among teens in two years, and tripled among California 18- to 29-year-olds in just one year.

We all need to correct the misinformation and myths that have been spread by manufacturers, vendors, users and social media advocates.

A recent survey showed that nearly half of our local retailers sell these “nicotine aerosolizing techno-toys,” often found next to candy in local corner stores and gas stations.

Scientific research and studies have indicated that the aerosol emitted from e-cigarette-type devices contains several chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects and other reproductive harm. These include volatile organic compounds and ultrafine particles that can travel deep into the lungs and cause tissue inflammation.

These vapors are not harmless and the aerosol is not water vapor, as the industry claims.

Using a nicotine-containing e-cigarette for just five minutes causes similar lung irritation, inflammation, and effect on blood vessels as smoking a traditional cigarette.

People exposed to secondhand aerosol absorb nicotine at comparable levels to those exposed to secondhand smoke.

According to Dr. Stacy Anderson, UCSF School of Medicine, “The research community is concerned about a number of chemicals that result from the use of e-cigarette and other vaping kits. We know that at least 10 of the chemicals in vaping kits are listed on the California Prop. 65 list of carcinogenic chemicals. Vaping kits also contain nicotine, obviously, which is a poison and an addictive drug. The Department of Defense actually lists it on its list of bio-hazardous chemicals.”

Developing adolescent brains are especially susceptible to the toxic effects of nicotine.

The rise of popularity of these products by youth is of great concern as even a limited period of nicotine exposure may harm brain development, preparing teens for life-long nicotine addiction and future tobacco use. The use of these devices by teens now far exceeds the use of cigarettes.

Nicotine poisoning is also a major concern. E-liquids containing a wide variety of cherry, strawberry, chocolate and gummy bear flavorings combined with potentially lethal doses of nicotine are packaged in colorful containers that currently do not require child-resistant caps.

San Rafael Fire Chief Chris Gray said that fire departments are concerned about how easily the device can explode and cause fires, injuries and even death.

Marin County Health and Human Services and the Smoke-Free Marin Coalition are working hard to educate the public about the dangers of these products.

We encourage municipalities to adapt local ordinances to regulate the use of electronic cigarettes in the same manner as traditional cigarettes, advocate for child-proof packaging and apply warning labels on e-liquids.

We all need to work together to create healthy communities, free of nicotine addiction. For more information, and to view a locally produced video about e-cigarettes for teens and families, visit: www.smokefreemarin.com.

Sparkie Spaeth is a deputy director of the Marin County Health and Human Services Department and is the director of community health, policy and prevention services.