E-cigarettes are becoming a fashion among the youth, health is at risk
12-year-old Sarah Griffin, who lives in the UK, suffered from asthma last September. Sarah, who has been in a coma in the hospital for a few days, is now improving. But his addiction to vape has badly damaged his lungs.
According to the BBC, one of the girl's lungs is almost completely destroyed. According to the doctor, his respiratory system has become like that of an 80-year-old instead of a 12-year-old child. Vape, which can make a 12-year-old's respiratory system look like an 80-year-old's, is now gaining popularity not only in Western countries, but also in Eastern countries. Vape (e-cigarette) has started to become a headache among tobacco products.
What is vape?
A vape is an electric cigarette that runs on a battery. People use it to heat liquids into a vapor that can be inhaled. It is considered a cancer-causing tobacco product because the inhaled vapor contains nicotine (a drug that makes tobacco addictive), flavors and toxic substances.
Vape became fashionable in Yuvapindi
Doctors say that the number of school-aged children who use vape in Nepal is increasing. Chest specialist Niraj Bam says, 'Vape has become like a fashion among young people. School and plus two age group studying in urban areas who have started adolescence are getting addicted to vape.
Psychiatrist Dr. Nirajan Bhattarai says that vape has made it easier for young people who are afraid or hesitant to smoke. Even if they want to smoke, children who are afraid and ashamed of their parents will confidently smoke in front of everyone. It has become a problem to openly smoke vape as a style. Because of this, the number of vape users is increasing, Dr. Bhattarai says.
Dr. Nirajan Bhattarai, Psychiatrist
Health risks
Dr. He says that the use of vape, which is being consumed like bomb cigarettes, will cause short-term and long-term health problems. According to him, the short-term effects may include vomiting, nausea, cough, difficulty breathing, mouth burning, and asthma and pneumonia. Long-term effects can include lung infections and damage, heart disease, cancer, and brain problems.
Dr. Bam adds, 'Nicotine products are considered harmful to health, which is why most countries have banned them. It should be banned in Nepal as well.
What do the statistics say?
According to a recent survey in the UK, one in five children between the ages of 11 and 17 use vape. This number is three times more than in 2020.
In the case of Nepal, there has been no research on this. Therefore, it is not possible to estimate how many people use vape. But many people who come to the OPD with lung problems are found to be using vape and hookah. Bam says. Because of this, he says, it will be difficult to control the use of tobacco products like vape and hookah, just as we have to gradually reduce smoking in Nepal.
Greater impact at younger ages
Dr. According to Bam, vaping poses a double threat to the younger age group. First, the various chemicals used in it, nicotine, harms the lungs. It weakens the lungs at an early age. Secondly, once you become addicted, the chances of getting addicted to cigarettes increase even more,” he says. Nicotine affects the brain development of children and adolescents. He says that in the future they will not be able to concentrate on their studies.
Dr. Neeraj Bam, thoracic specialist
Vaping is not a substitute for quitting smoking
In 2003, Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist who made e-cigarettes, claimed that he could easily quit smoking with its help. But e-cigarettes, which were created to help people get rid of cigarette addiction, have now become a big challenge for the world. Dr. There is no authentic research that the use of e-cigarettes helps to quit smoking. Bam says.
Is vape less dangerous than cigarettes? Dr. Bam says, 'Of the two types of poison, which one is better is the same thing. The possibility of quitting smoking through e-cigarettes is completely delusional. Harmful substances like nicotine are found in both.
How do you get addicted to vape?
Psychiatrist Dr. According to Bhattarai, vaping every day is likely to become addictive. It seems that after starting to eat under the pressure of social media, peers and friends, it gradually becomes a craving and becomes an addiction. If you start drinking tea during the day, as you get used to it, the more you consume the nicotine in the vape, the more you will become addicted. Nicotine increases the level of dopamine (hormone of pleasure). As a result, the desire to eat increases. The role of nicotine is to depend on it. Most people are taking it in the name of getting rid of smoking addiction. Who gradually becomes addicted to it,' said Dr. Bhattarai says.
Addiction treatment is possible
It is possible to get rid of vape addiction. But with family, own desire and medical treatment is necessary. Bhattarai says. In the treatment of its addiction, depending on the level of addiction, chewing gum and nicotine spray are given to reduce nicotine. After that, some medication and therapy will gradually reduce the desire for nicotine. Bhattarai says.
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