Not many aware of harmful effects of e-cigarettes
Many youngsters in India who have taken to e-cigarettes are addicted to it and are slowly developing health issues.
CHENNAI: Krishna, 20, took to electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) as an alternative to his addiction to smoking. Little did he know that his dependency on e-cigarettes would lead to throat infections and bleeding gums. He developed sores that were slow to heal and made it difficult to eat. Many youngsters in India who have taken to e-cigarettes are addicted to it and are slowly developing health issues. Youngsters feel that e-cigarettes are comparatively less harmful than tobacco. Vaping, an act of inhaling and exhaling the water vapor produced by e-cigarettes and which delivers nicotine in the form of a vapour, is very injurious to health.
“E-cigarettes were initially used in some countries to help smokers quit, but nicotine and other chemical compounds contained in e-cigarettes serve as addictives. Whether through smoking tobacco or sucking on an e-cigarette, nicotine affects brain functioning by increasing dopamine concentrations,” said Dr V Ranjith, thoracic specialist, Government Hospital of thoracic medicine. A recent report released by World Health Organization revealed that e-cigarettes do not help quit smoking but increase the risk of mental disorders such as depression, anxiety and others.
Various other health problems such as damage to the liver, kidney, heart and lung are associated with e-cigarettes addiction. “As these rechargeable e-cigarettes can be used by multiple users, they also communicate infections among them,” said Dr Prasanna Kumar, senior pulmonologist at Fortis Malar Hospital. The Tamil Nadu Tobacco Control Coalition had imposed regulations on e-cigarettes last year, but no ban was imposed on e-cigarettes and hookah bars that provide them with ease.
“Regulations are not adequate if we consider the harmful effects of electronic cigarettes which is equal to the use of patches, chewing gums and other nicotine products. A complete ban will prevent youth from getting into the grip of this addiction,” said an official from the Tamil Nadu People’s Forum for Tobacco Control.