1 In 8 Minnesota Teens Smoke E-Cigarettes

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — While a new survey shows tobacco use by Minnesota high school students has declined in recent years, state health officials are concerned about the rising number of young people using electronic cigarettes.

The state's latest survey on youth tobacco use released Monday found one in in eight high school students used e-cigarettes recently.

In its first survey to gauge e-cigarette use, the state found 13 percent of high school students — and 3 percent of middle school students — had tried one in the last month.

Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Ed Ehlinger says the nicotine in e-cigarettes is addicting and can affect brain development. Ehlinger supports expanding the state's indoor smoking ban to e-cigarettes.

The survey also found that fewer high school students are using cigarettes and other tobacco products than in 2011.

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