5 Ways Vapes Damage Children's Health

The World Health Organization alerted for the ban on electronic cigarettes known as Vapes due to its hazardous ill effects on the health. Highlighting dangers of vaping to the government, WHO said immediately ban all flavors of vapes as they are treated as tobacco smoking.

WHO said there is no evidence that electronic cigarettes help to quit smoking rather it increases nicotine addiction in children and the younger generation.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General said “ Young kids are being trapped at an early age to use cigarettes and come in contact with nicotine. I urge all countries to take serious action to prevent bad effects of nicotine over the people of the country”

Children between age of 13-15 years of age are using electronic cigarette at higher rate than adults in all the countries.

34 countries have ban on electronic cigarette, 88 countries have no minimum age at which e-cigarettes can be bought and 74 countries have no regulation over the use of electronic cigarette as per World Health Organization.

E-cigarette (vapes) contain toxic substances under the influence of which young generation comes in contact. It increases risk of lung and heart disorders and has a significant impact on the brain development and learning disabilities in the children. It can significantly affect growth of the fetus in the pregnancy.

E-cigarette which are also known as Vapes or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and sometimes electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENNDS). It contains a liquid which gets heated and generates aerosols which are inhaled by the user. The e-liquid may or may not contain nicotine in it and also contains additives, flavor and toxic substances which are injurious to the health.

Effects of Vapes (Electronic Cigarette) on the body

Vapes are not a healthier alternative to traditional cigarette smoking. Both have their ill effects over the body over a period of time. There are risk involved with the use of vapes

Nicotine addiction : Most of the vapes contain nicotine which is a highly addictive substance which can lead to craving, dependence and is difficult to withdraw once started.

Lung Injury : Vapes smoking can lead to vaping associated lung injury which causes scarring and inflammation of the lung tissue and even death. Most of the users suffer from symptoms like cough, difficulty in breathing, chest pain and fatigue. Vaping worsens the existing asthma like conditions in smokers as well as non smokers.

Cardiac Risk : E-cigarette have adverse effects over the blood vessels and heart, it increases risk of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular problems.

Neurodevelopmental problems : Nicotine present in the vapes has deleterious effects on the brain of the young children which result in impaired learning abilities, impaired memory and attention.

Mental disorders : E-cigarette increase symptoms of mental disorders like depression and anxiety.

Non smokers risk : Those non smokers who come in contact with vape smokers also come in contact with nicotine present in the smoke which affects their health as well.

Nicotine present in e-cigarette liquid is a highly addictive substance which is harmful for smokers as well as non smokers. When the aerosol is inhaled through your lung, it causes inflammation of the lung tissue and due to regular addiction the inflammation increases and finally it lands the smoker into a major health problem.