Mothers Against Vaping, a coalition of proactive and concerned mothers, has issued a call to action for South-East Asian nations to heed the World Health Organization’s (WHO) warning regarding the rising use of new-age gateway devices like e-cigarettes and vapes, especially among children and youth.
This collective effort aims to combat what they describe as the “escalating vaping crisis” affecting young people.
The WHO’s caution against the proliferation of vaping in the region underscores the urgent need to control the spread of e-cigarettes and similar products. Notably, India has taken a proactive stance by enacting the PECA 2019 legislation, which bans all aspects of electronic cigarette products, including production, manufacturing, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage, and advertisement, deeming them illegal within the country.
Dr. Rajesh Gupta, additional director of Pulmonology and Critical Care at Fortis Healthcare, emphasized that claiming e-cigarettes can eliminate nicotine addiction is scientifically inaccurate, given their nicotine content. Furthermore, the use of e-cigarettes can deliver higher doses of nicotine and other harmful chemicals, posing additional risks to users, especially young people.
Dr. Bhavna Barmi, a Clinical Psychologist and Founder of Happiness Studio, highlights the mental health impacts associated with vaping, including mood and anxiety disorders, suicidal thoughts, and depressive symptoms.
Mothers Against Vaping also drew attention to a survey conducted by the American Heart Association, presented in February 2023.
The findings of the survey revealed a concerning correlation between vaping nicotine and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive component in marijuana and self-reported symptoms of depression and anxiety.
“The long-term consequences of e-cigarettes remain unknown, but studies have already demonstrated serious lung injuries and adverse health effects associated with their use. Without effective control measures, the widespread prevalence of these new-age devices poses a genuine risk, potentially leaving our future generation with lasting health impairments.
“From causing chemical poisoning in users to jeopardising maternal and foetal health, vaping presents a myriad of physical health risks,” said Dr Varuna Pathak, former Professor of GGynaecology and Obstetrics, Gandhi Medical College. According to a new study, vapers are susceptible to infection by SARS-CoV-2, the virus that spreads COVID-19 and continues to infect people around the world. The researchers from University of California, Riverside said the liquid used in electronic cigarettes, called e-liquid, typically contains nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and flavor chemicals.
