To the Editor:

Re: “Deal With Altria Vexes F.D.A.”

One in five high school students uses e-cigarettes. The deal between Juul and Altria is more likely to increase use than encourage people to quit.

As a national youth ambassador for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, I spoke at a news conference alongside Surgeon General Jerome M. Adams and Dr. Scott Gottlieb, the Food and Drug Administration commissioner, to discuss the destructive effect that Juul has nationwide. These products are pervasive, and they are destroying the lives of young people everywhere.

This epidemic is alarming, but it isn’t unstoppable. In 2009, flavored cigarettes were banned because of the influence they had over young people. Our next step is to ban flavored e-cigarettes. Flavors are the leading reason for youth use of these products.

The health of my generation is more important than the success of the tobacco and vaping industries. We all deserve better.