Salt Lake City – Vaping has increased in popularity in recent years, and doctors ring the alarm on health risks.
“The nicotine content in electronic cigarettes is essentially unregulated, so you can be exposed to much more nicotine vaping than smoking fuel cigarettes,” said Dr. Denitza Blagev, professor of pulmonary medicine and intensive care at Intermountain Health.
One out of 20 American uses electronic cigarettes. UTAH has taken measures to combat the vaping crisis, in particular the implementation of restrictions on flavored vapes.
While electronic cigarettes were marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, a recent study noted that this was not the case. Johns Hopkins researchers examined health data for 250,000 people over four years. The results have shown that those who used electronic cigarettes had a higher risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease than those who do not smoke or use electronic cigarettes.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a cause of death in the world and is generally irreversible.
“Once he’s there, he’s there, and really the main prevention is not tobacco, no electronic cigarettes,” said Bagev.
Although the long -term effects of electronic cigarettes are still being studied, vaping has been linked to cardiovascular disease, reproductive damage and neurological problems, such as strokes.
Adolescents are more sensitive to nicotine dependence than adults.
“Having this habit and these behaviors from the start can have actual long -term consequences,” said Blavev.
Blagev stressed the importance that parents have conversations on vaping with their children.
“As parents, one of the most important things we can do is open up the communication routes,” said Bagev. “We really want to help our children make decisions and sail in these difficult situations, and to be set up to succeed and long -term health.”
