NBC晚间新闻 美国部分州提升法定抽烟年龄

Across the country a vaping cloud is threatening today's teens. E-cigarette use among high schoolers up a stunning¹ 78 percent last year, among middle schoolers up 48 percent. 12 states and DC have already raised a smoking and vaping age from 18 to 21. Now Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell from tobacco producing Kentucky says the law should go national. Tobacco won't be in most high schools, presenting fewer opportunities for children to get their hands on vaping devices.

With their fruity flavors E-cigarettes have exploded in popularity with teenagers. But doctors warn of extremely high nicotine² levels that can lead to addiction³ and regular tobacco use. In adolescence⁴ nicotine in the brain can cause long-term impacts on memory concentration mood and impulse control. Now facing new laws and tough regulations the nation's tobacco and E-cigarettes supporters support raising the legal age to 21. At last count three and a half million middle and high schoolers are vaping. Health experts say it's critical to stop this exploding trend now.

在全国范围内，电子蒸汽烟正威胁着当今的青少年。去年高中生使用电子烟的人数增长了惊人的78%，使用电子烟的初中生则增加了48%。12个州和华盛顿特区已经将法定抽烟和抽电子烟的年龄从18岁提升至21岁。现在，来自肯塔基州烟草生产商的参议院多数党领袖米奇·麦康奈尔表示，这项法律应该在全国范围内实行。烟草将不会出现在大多数的高中，这将减少孩子们使用电子烟设备的机会。由于其水果味，电子烟在青少年中大受欢迎。但是医生警告说，过高的尼古丁含量会导致人们上瘾和经常吸烟。在青少年时期，大脑中的尼古丁会对记忆力、注意力、情绪和冲动控制产生长期影响。现在面临着新的法律和严格的法规，国家的烟草和电子烟支持者支持将法定抽烟年龄升至21岁。据最新统计，有350万中学生在抽电子烟。健康专家表示，现在必须阻止这一爆炸性的趋势。

1 stunning   

adj.极好的；使人晕倒的

参考例句：

• His plays are distinguished only by their stunning mediocrity.他的戏剧与众不同之处就是平凡得出奇。
• The finished effect was absolutely stunning.完工后的效果非常美。

2 nicotine   

n.(化)尼古丁，烟碱

参考例句：

• Many smokers who are chemically addicted to nicotine cannot cut down easily.许多有尼古丁瘾的抽烟人不容易把烟戒掉。
• Many smokers who are chemically addicted to nicotine cannot cut down easily.许多有尼古丁瘾的抽烟人不容易把烟戒掉。

3 addiction   

n.上瘾入迷，嗜好

参考例句：

• He stole money from his parents to feed his addiction.他从父母那儿偷钱以满足自己的嗜好。
• Areas of drug dealing are hellholes of addiction,poverty and murder.贩卖毒品的地区往往是吸毒上瘾、贫困和发生谋杀的地方。

4 adolescence   

n.青春期，青少年

参考例句：

• Adolescence is the process of going from childhood to maturity.青春期是从少年到成年的过渡期。
• The film is about the trials and tribulations of adolescence.这部电影讲述了青春期的麻烦和苦恼。