KARACHI:
Nowadays, youngsters are switching to vaping as it is considered a safer option compared to traditional cigarettes. Most teenagers can be found using e-cigarettes or vapes as it has become a trend to use them. There are two types of e-liquids i.e., one that contains nicotine and another nicotine-free liquid. However, traces of nicotine have been found in nicotine-free e-liquids. Vaping at high voltage also produces formaldehyde-containing compounds known as hemiacetals. The formaldehyde hemiacetals derived have been reported as major e-cigarette aerosol components.
The typical e-cigarette liquid usually contains vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, water, nicotine, and some flavouring liquids. The propylene glycol in e-liquid releases formaldehyde gas when heated. Formaldehyde can irritate the nose, eyes, and throat even if used in small quantities or for a short time. Higher doses or prolonged exposure can cause coughing or choking. Severe exposure can cause throat swelling or chemical burns to the lungs and even cause death. E-cigarettes also contain other harmful substances like ultrafine particles, flavouring substances such as diacetyl, organic volatile compounds, etc. These are chemically linked to severe lung, heart, and other life-threatening diseases.
The safety and health effects of e-cigarettes and vaping products are still not well known, but people are using them as an alternative to cigarettes. The relevant authorities should tighten controls on the buying and selling of these products and should impose the same prohibitions on them as cigarettes.
Fezza Baig
Hyderabad
Published in The Express Tribune, December 22nd, 2022.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
