Heart disease, infertility and more

Drug abuse and smoking affects 14 percent of the youth worldwide. According to Preventive Medicine’s Report 2023, around 23 percent of the Indians were found to be using e-cigarettes with 8 percent using it daily. A study by American college of cardiology states that vaping increases the risk of heart failure by 19 percent.

Vaping, e-cigarettes and hookahs are often seen as a safer alternative to cigarettes. But that’s not the case. Firstly, there’s no safer alternative to traditional smoking. Secondly, these options which are more popular among youth, can lead to nicotine addiction and other serious health conditions.

What are e-cigarettes or vaping

Electronic Cigarette or e-cigarettes, vapor pens, vapes and/or vapor cigarettes are battery operated devices which are sometimes even rechargeable. As opposed to traditional smoking, vapes have liquid cartridges filled with chemical flavours, nicotine, cannabinoid and tetrahydrocannabinol (compounds derived from marijuana) or some other chemical. Smoking these chemicals poses a severe health risk to the users, says Dr Ravi Shekhar Jha, director & HOD, pulmonology, Fortis Escorts hospital, Faridabad.

Health risks associated with vapes/e-cigarettes

Brain and heart health: Long term use of vapes can cause serious brain and health conditions and sometimes even cancer, says Jha. Nicotine and use of some other toxic substances like formaldehyde and N-nitrosamines may be carcinogenic and may lead to cancer. Nicotine can also damage brain development in teens and adolescents, changing the way synapses are formed which can harm attention and learning. Short-term usage of vapes may damage the functions of blood vessels, alongside increasing heart rate and blood pressure. Smoking e-cigarettes is also associated with heart disease and COPD.

Acute lung injury, asthma, lung cancer and other serious lung diseases: Researchers, in 2019, identified EVALI, a severe lung disease associated with use of e-cigarettes, says Jha. Vitamin E acetate was detected to be the cause. But e-cigarettes also contain several other chemicals that can cause illness. Moreover, some chemicals used for flavoring like diacetyl can cause inflammation and may even lead to permanent damage to the smallest branches in the airway known as popcorn lungs.

What are hookah

Hookahs are basically water pipes made of tobacco and comes in various flavours. Although it is assumed to be safer than traditional smoking, it contains the same harmful chemicals like tar, nicotine and heavy metals. In fact, the heat source that is used to burn tobacco releases carbon monoxide which puts the users at an additional risk. In using just one water pipe, users consume 9 times more carbon monoxide and 1.7 times the nicotine of one cigarette.

Health risks associated with hookahs

Oral, stomach, lungs and esophageal cancer: Charcoal used to heat the hookah tobacco produces metals, carbon monoxide and other cancer-causing agents. According to Jha, the smoke and the hookah tobacco is known to cause bladder, lung and oral cancer due to the toxic agents present. Lastly, tobacco juices irritate the mouth and increases the risk of developing oral cancer.

Heart disease, reduced lung function and fertility: The toxic fumes, smoke and tobacco can clog the arteries, resulting in heart diseases. Additionally, nicotine found in tobacco changes the natural system of the body that controls lung growth and maintenance of lung structure. Studies have also found that smoking hookah can affect both male and female’s fertility.

It is crucial for each of us to understand the potential risks of the things we do in our youth and/or adulthood. Despite the warning labels on cigarette boxes, we overestimate our bodies which poses dire consequences. It is important to be aware of short-term and long-term impact of smoking to make an informed decision regarding the use of these products.