Smoking cigarettes is already dangerous for health, but nowadays the trend of smoking e-cigarettes has increased among youth and teenagers, which is called vaping. The increasing addiction to vaping among teenagers has become worrying, due to which the risk of lung cancer increases. Electronic cigarettes are generally promoted as a safer alternative to traditional tobacco cigarettes, but they are no less dangerous. Dr. Manoj Kumar Goel, Director and Unit Head (Pulmonology), Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, told what could be the side effects of teen vaping.
Why is vaping at risk of lung cancer?
There are many factors due to which the rates of lung cancer among teenagers increase. Teen vaping is evidence that nicotine addiction is continuously increasing among people under the age of 20. This addictive substance is found in abundance in vaping products. This can hurt the brains of teenagers who are moving towards physical development. Long-term exposure to nicotine during critical stages of neurological development may lead to health problems in adulthood, including increased cancer risk.
E-cigarette is harmful
Apart from this, the chemical composition of e-cigarette aerosol is not without harm. Although e-cigarettes lack many of the dangerous chemicals found in traditional tobacco smoke, they still contain potentially harmful substances such as formaldehyde and acrylic. Long-term exposure to these chemicals, especially during the early teens, may contribute to the development of respiratory problems and increase the risk of lung cancer over time.
Also, avoid flavored e-cigarettes
The attraction towards flavored e-cigarettes further exacerbates this problem, drawing teenagers into a habit that can have long-term effects. Flavors such as fruit, mint, and candy may make vaping more attractive to teens, potentially leading to increased use and prolonged exposure to harmful substances.
How will the risk be reduced?
The Indian government has made efforts to prevent teen vaping, including banning the sale of e-cigarettes and awareness programs highlighting the risks associated with vaping. However, despite the ban on electronic cigarettes, this trend is not stopping, hence many times all efforts prove to be inadequate.
Lung cancer rates may increase
If teen vaping continues to increase like this, then in the long term it may increase the rate of lung cancer among teenagers. Nicotine has an addictive nature, which can be harmful to our health, it is also not good for the respiratory health of teenage people. For this, there is a need to make youth and teenage groups people more and more aware. Also, there is a need to strictly follow the ban on production, sale, and distribution of e-cigarettes.
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