VAPING is an electronic cigarette to inhale vapors through the mouth from a usually battery-operated electronic device which is getting popular amongst the youngsters, inhaling aerosol (mist) created by an electronic cigarette. It is a handheld electronic device to breathe a heated mist to create “vapors” with added perfume into your lung, just like cigarette smoking. Its first popularity was observed in 2019 in USA. In fact, it is a process of inhaling and exhaling the vapor of many intoxicating drugs produced through the electronic device. The earliest known use of vaping was introduced in the 1980s, later on developed into proper culture of vaping, mimicking the act tobacco smoking which aerosolizes nicotine for inhalation. There are many scholars engaged in recent studies and they found 175000 adults were suffering from this scourge as confirmed by Bene-Alahsan from the National Institute of Health Sciences.
Vaping isn’t safer than traditional tobacco smoking, as it still poses significant health risks. Studies show that e-cigarettes, containing heated nicotine, have led to numerous hospitalizations and even deaths. The aerosol from vapes can trigger coughing, weaken heart muscles, and cause lung inflammation. Research indicates a heightened risk of heart problems, strokes, and respiratory illnesses, particularly among young users. Despite initial perceptions of safety, e-cigarettes have been found to deliver various harmful drugs, including nicotine, opium, and cannabis, appealing to both young and old alike.
In fact Vapes were earlier designed for those who desire to quit tobacco smoking, and this was the basic reason of rapid development of Vapes, even in non-smokers. Recently, the researchers have diagnosed the anxiety and depression get worse in Vape smokers, but unfortunately its harmful effects are still under active study. The aerosol normally contains nicotine and other harmful chemicals with flavouring agents like marijuana, herbs, and oils. Some e-cigarettes are disposable and designed for one-time use. However, when the liquid is used up or the battery expires, the user get it refilled or purchases a new pen or a pre-filled cartridges, others purchase a bottle of liquid and refill the e-cigarette as required.
Since nicotine, main constituent of drugs used in vapes is a highly addictive and it is not necessary that one smokes every day to get addicted to it, but Vaping incites the user to become a regular smoker especially youngsters who are more likely to become a regular smoker of tobacco or vape, may be more likely to develop addictions to other intoxicating drugs in future. It affects loss of memory, concentration, self-control, and attention especially in the developing brains. Studies reveal evidence that Vaping can cause sexual dysfunction in men, sleep disorders, chronic bronchitis and chronic lung inflammatory changes or damages which can be life-threatening. Other health effects are under study as the Vaping hasn’t yet been around that long, so its health risks like heart failure and are globally under active study. However, it has been proved that Vapes weakens the heart muscles with reduced efficiency of pumping the blood to the body especially in people suffering from hypertension and diabetes, and rarely ear disorders (19%), after prolonged vaping.
Start by asking your child if they have ever tried vaping. Talk about it anyway and convince them, it is an unhealthy practice for health issues such as coughing or wheezing. Some flavoured e-cigarettes have been banned in some countries, but it still remains in the market. Parents may notice fruity or sweet from exhalation and children may have decreased sports performance. Some people use Vaping to curb their appetite, but there’s also no proof that vaping helps weight loss as reported by a leading physician Yakubu MD, MPH from Midstar Health of Baltimore, who carried a recent study on ‘Association Vaping with Cardio-vascular diseases resulting in high morbidity and mortality.
How can youngsters quit Vaping? It is a difficult question, however advise them to chew sugar-free gum or lollipops to help distract from cravings and give encouragement while they’re trying to stop vaping. The truth is that the nicotine addiction leads to very strong cravings, especially in the first few days after stopping. It can lead to headaches, at times, feeling tired, cranky or mood changes, and may remain depressed with lack of concentrating in studies with sleeplessness at night. Make your house smoke-free and vape-free with strong commitment to quit it. It is important to keep all vaping supplies out of the reach of the children.
In fact, neither smoking nor vaping is beneficial to human health. According to WHO Vaping “epidemic” in USA has led to a mysterious outbreak of lung “Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI)”. Tobacco and the practice of snuffing are spreading rapidly throughout Europe. The best choice for any smoker is to quit cigarettes and Vapes altogether, some chemicals in vapes are also used in food production and are generally considered safe when eaten. Today, Vapes are even presented to the guests as a complimentary service like cigarettes on the occasion of marriage parties or other normal functions as a fashion. There are many stores selling almost in every in big city and all over the world including Pakistan, where Vapes are easily available like other cigarettes, popularly known as Shisha or hookah in various hotels and restaurants, not forbidden by the authorities or any law enforcing agency.
—The author is a retired Professor from Rawalpindi Medical University, and is frequently writing on the subjects of Health in medical journals.
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