The increasing trend of e-cigarettes or vapes, which contain nicotine, could lead to dangerous consequences warned health experts during a continuing medical education (CME) programme organised by the department of pulmonary medicine at TB Hospital, Government Medical College.
Vapes work by heating a liquid that contains nicotine, thus turning it into an aerosol. These devices have been engineered to deliver high, addictive doses of nicotine, often in multiple flavoured variants, thus making them appealing to young users.
Most vapes contain propylene glycol, glycerin and carcinogenic substances such as aldehydes and heavy metals like nickel, tin and lead. Toxic chemicals, including diacetyl, have been linked to serious lung diseases.
Dr GC Khilnani, former professor and head of the department of pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine at AIIMS, New Delhi, said, “E-cigarette aerosols contain harmful and potentially cancer-causing chemicals.”
“The people who resorted to vaping as an alternative to smoking, did not quit smoking. In fact, they are smoking plus vaping,” said Dr Khilnani. Research suggests a direct link between youngsters vaping nicotine and mental health issues. “Nicotine vaping in young individuals is associated, in a dose-dependent manner, with higher symptoms of suicidal thoughts, depression, anxiety and inattention/hyperactivity,” added Dr Khilnani.
Over the past decade, nicotine vaping among children has skyrocketed, with data from the US indicating that average age of initiation was just 14 years. Similar trends are catching up in metros, tier I and II cities. The most concerning aspect is its social acceptability among men and women.
“Once addicted to vaping, many young users eventually transit to traditional cigarette smoking, which is often cheaper and more accessible. This shift is expected to increase tobacco smoking rates, reversing public health gains made in recent decades,” said Dr Khilnani.
E-cigarettes continue to be widely used, particularly among school and college students. Dr Khilnani warned that if left unchecked, nicotine addiction among youth would escalate into a major public health crisis.
“The country is already witnessing ‘vape parties’ in metro cities, reflecting a dangerous trend. If we do not act now, vaping will become the gateway to lifelong nicotine addiction,” he pointed out.
Experts pushed for stricter enforcement of ban on e-cigarettes, public awareness campaigns and stronger policies to curb the rising menace of vaping among youth.
Now, ‘smart vapes’, which have digital display, have hit the market. These devices feature built-in games, rewards for vaping and bluetooth connectivity. Such features make vaping even more attractive to young users. These devices are being sold illegally, further worsening the problem.
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