E-cigarettes present special health concerns for kids

By Paula Wolfson
September 23, 2014 | 7:55 PM

WASHINGTON — It was a typical scene at a typical local mall: A woman strolling passed a kiosk was asked to take a look at the goods being sold.

But this was a stand selling e-cigarettes, and the woman was Dr. Marsha Seidelman, an internist and pulmonary specialist in the Silver Spring area.

“They told me they are completely safe,” she says with a sigh, adding that anyone in medicine knows better.

The Centers for Disease Control is reporting an alarming increase in e-cigarette use among teenagers. And a recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine raises concerns that liquid nicotine could be a gateway drug, particularly for adolescents.

The article reviewed research that shows nicotine creates chemical changes in the dopamine — or reward — center of the brain, as well as the amygdala, which controls emotions and empathy. Seidelman says “both are very important centers for addiction.”

Other worrisome statistics come from the nation’s poison centers. They report a significant increase in the number of calls relating to vials of liquid nicotine.

Most involve curious kids who simply find the vials around the house. Seidelman says the liquid that contains the nicotine is very concentrated — 1/5th of a teaspoon is enough to create problems for a toddler.

Seidelman says she is appalled by how easy it is to access the stuff, noting there are no significant rules about how it can be advertised or marketed. The Food and Drug Administration is looking into e-cigarettes, but several major medical associations say something must be done now. They want e-cigarettes to be banned or restricted until the FDA decides whether to treat them as a drug or a tobacco product.

Seidelman says there is no time to wait.

“At this point, there are not even rules about putting child-proof caps on the liquid nicotine, so there is a long way to go.”

Related Stories:

Follow @WTOP and @WTOPliving on Twitter and WTOP on Facebook.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
July 14, 2026 | 6:30 PM

Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers

Read Next Story