Traditional smoking of cigarettes reaches all time low; vaping on the rise

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --- Wisconsin doctors are sounding the alarm on some new data.

Officials with UW-Health say traditional smoking of cigarettes is at an all-time low.

Health officials say while this is good news, there are some other concerns. While smoking is declining, the use of e-cigarettes is on the rise.

The percentage of people who vape is the highest among 18-to-25-year-olds, followed by younger people ages 12-17. Health officials say there's a common misconception among young people that vaping is safer than smoking traditional cigarettes, but they want people to know that there are still risks.

"I think for young people, it's really important to know that e-cigarettes are not safe. They still contain toxins. They still contain carcinogens and nicotine, which is the addictive substance," said Brian Williams, UW-Health pediatric & adult hospitalist.

Doctors say vaping can still result in serious health consequences.

Young people are most at risk for addiction because their brains are still developing.