Early this year, there has been an incident in one of the schools in Balanga City wherein a student suffered burns and minor cut in his face when an e-cigarette or “vape” he was smoking exploded in his face.  He is now recovering after he was treated in the hospital. Such incident could have been avoided if he knew more about e-cigarette and the dangers it might impose to those who choose to use them.  Here are some facts:

E-cigarettes are not safe because these are unregulated tobacco products.

None of the 500 brands and 7700 flavors of e-cigarettes that are available in the market have been evaluated for safe consumption by the Food and Drug Administration.  Nobody is certain what is inside them though recent studies showed that these contain toxic chemicals, including an ingredient used in antifreeze and formaldehyde. 

 

Almost all e-cigarettes contain nicotine.

Nicotine is an addictive substance that causes negative health effects especially in the development of the brain.  Continuous use of e-cigarettes can increase the potential for addiction.  Though many manufacturers claim that their products are nicotine-free, there are wide-ranging nicotine levels and inconsistencies between listed and actual nicotine levels.

 

E-cigarettes have not been proven to be safe and effective in helping smokers quit.

A study made in 2013 has discovered that 77% of e-cigarette users still smoke conventional cigarettes.  It means that instead of quitting, it only made them more addictive since in smoking, either through conventional or electrical.  FDA has seven existing medications that can really help a smoker quit smoking and obviously, e-cigarette is not one of them.

 

E-cigarette users also include elementary and high school students.

With the availability of almost 7700 flavors which includes bubble gum, fruit loops, chocolate and strawberry, it encourages teenagers more to smoke e-cigarettes.  An increase in minor users  has been noted since 2011 and there are no indications of it lessening in coming years.

 

E-cigarettes expose others to secondhand emissions.

The vapour that is emitted by e-cigarettes contain carcinogens, such as formaldehyde and can be exhaled by those that are close to the user.  These emissions can cause potential harm both to the smoker and secondhand user.

By: Mrs.Maria Joma S. Morales | Teacher III | Bataan National High School | Balanga City, Bataan