What is an electronic cigarette? 8 harmful effects of e-cigarettes that you need to know

E-cigarettes were originally used to replace and quit smoking traditional cigarettes. But now there have been many studies showing that e-cigarettes not only can not help quit smoking but also bring many bad effects. Today, let’s find out 8 harmful effects of e-cigarettes with Tnhelearning.edu.vn that you need to know.

Read more: World No Tobacco Day May 31: Response activities

What is an electronic cigarette?

Electronic cigarettes (EC-electronic cigarettes) are devices that simulate cigarettes, use batteries and do not use real tobacco ingredients. ECs come in a variety of shapes, usually cylindrical, which may be identical or different in shape to a cigarette.

The historical origins of e-cigarettes

The first time the e-cigarette was conceived by Herbert A. Gilbert came to America. However, e-cigarettes were invented by a Hong Kong pharmacist in 2003 named Hon Lik, with the original purpose of smoking cessation. Since 2007 EC has been present in over 40 countries, and began to be commercialized for different purposes.

However , there has not been any research that proves that e-cigarettes can stop smoking traditional cigarettes . Instead, to quit smoking, smokers are encouraged to try some of the following:

• Use toothpaste, mouthwash with mint flavor, green tea to eliminate the bad smell of nicotine in the oral cavity
• Change your daily diet, add fruits rich in vitamin C to control your child’s cravings for smoking
• Exercise is also an easy way to help you quit smoking

An electronic cigarette is a device that mimics a cigarette

Structure of an electronic cigarette

Most e-cigarettes today are composed of three main parts:

• Essential oil canister: This canister is also known as E-Liquid or E-Juice, inside will contain liquid essential oil, when it is heated, it will turn into a vapor that tastes like real tobacco.
• Body part: Includes battery, battery control button. Depending on the manufacturer, the body design will vary.
• The top of the tank: Also known as RTA, RDA, this is the place to burn the essential oil inside, converting from liquid to vapor.

Structure of an electronic cigarette

Types of Electronic Cigarettes

Currently, with the rapid development of many e-cigarette manufacturers, many different types of e-cigarettes have been launched to meet the needs of users and attract customers.

Some popular types of e-cigarettes today can be mentioned as: Vape, Pod System or IQOS. These products are equipped with a smart board inside the product, which transforms into steam through the process of vaporizing essential oils.

Types of Electronic Cigarettes

Are e-cigarettes harmless? Harms of e-cigarettes

According to the information page of the People’s Hospital 115 , e-cigarettes are not only harmful to health but also affect the economy and the environment:

Addiction, affects the brain development of children and adolescents

E-cigarettes contain nicotine which is an addictive substance, its users must continue to use it, otherwise it will be uncomfortable and impossible to stop. Nicotine in e-cigarettes harms brain development in children, causing memory impairment.

Addictive, affects the brain development of children and adolescents.

Increased risk of starting to use traditional cigarettes

Research shows that adolescents and young adults who have never smoked but use e-cigarettes are 3.5 times more likely to start smoking traditional cigarettes than those who have never used tobacco. electronic.

Increased risk of starting to use traditional cigarettes

E-cigarettes can cause serious injury by exploding batteries

In the US, between 2009 and 2015 there were 92 fires/explosives caused by e-cigarettes, causing 47 injuries and property damage.

Also recorded this case, in the UK there have been more than 100 fires/explosion, 2 deaths due to fire/explosion of e-cigarettes.

E-cigarettes can cause serious injury by exploding batteries.

Severe respiratory damage

Similar to traditional cigarettes, e-cigarette use is associated with acute lung damage, leading to pneumonia and bronchial obstruction.

E-cigarettes seriously damage the respiratory system

High risk of cancer

High cancer risk due to heavy metals and toxic carbonyl compounds found in e-cigarette smoke.

High risk of cancer from vaping

Harmful to heart health

E-cigarettes increase the risk of thrombosis and atherosclerosis, increase the risk of myocardial infarction , and endothelial dysfunction associated with cardiovascular disease.

Nicotine reduces blood flow, increasing the risk of angina, heart failure, and stroke. Nicotine also causes immunosuppression, reducing resistance.

E-cigarettes are bad for your heart health

Effects of e-cigarettes on the economy

Increased economic burden on households and countries due to the cost of treating illnesses resulting from the use of these products, reduced productivity due to illness and premature death, and psychological trauma.

The risk of social evils arising from the use of drugs and addictive substances concurrently with e-cigarettes.

E-cigarettes are bad for the economy

Effects of e-cigarettes on the environment

Electronic cigarette devices include many components (plastics, batteries, circuit boards, e-liquids, etc.), which are discarded in the form of broken or crushed, which can release toxic substances such as metals into the environment. , acid, nicotine, etc

Effects of e-cigarettes on the environment

Some questions about e-cigarettes

Are e-cigarettes safer than traditional cigarettes?

E-cigarettes are safer than traditional cigarettes, but this does not mean that e-cigarettes are safe for health.

Because e-cigarettes still contain toxic substances such as nicotine, heavy metals such as tin, volatile organic compounds, etc., these are harmful agents to the respiratory system and can cause cancer.

Are e-cigarettes safer than traditional cigarettes?

Are e-cigarettes banned?

Currently , there are no regulations on banning e-cigarettes in Vietnam. However, according to the provisions of Clause 2, Article 3 of Decree 67/2013/ND-CP, it is clearly stated: “Tobacco products are products manufactured from all or part of tobacco ingredients and processed under form of cigarettes, cigars, tobacco used for smoking pipes and other forms of products used for smoking, chewing and smelling”.

Therefore, e-cigarettes are also considered a tobacco product and the business, purchase and sale of this product must meet the business conditions under Vietnamese law.

E-cigarettes are not banned

E-cigarettes are different from smokeless cigarettes?

An electronic cigarette is a type with a body designed like a small cavity containing liquid essential oils inside , when heated, it will vaporize and the user inhales, creating the feeling of smoking a real cigarette but without burning the cigarette.

Meanwhile, smokeless tobacco is described as those used to chew, inhale or melt in the mouth. All 3 types do not produce smoke like regular cigarettes:

• Chewing tobacco comes in forms such as loose leaves, tobacco cakes, tobacco rolls, when used, it will be placed between the cheeks and gums.
• The type of snuff tobacco will be a dry or wet powder that is finely ground, then used for inhalation or swallowing.
• Dissolved tobacco is a powder that is compressed like a hard candy, which melts in the mouth.

E-cigarettes are different from smokeless cigarettes?

Is vape an e-cigarette?

Vape is one of the popular electronic cigarettes used today among young people, using e-liquid in the form of freebase or with very low nicotine content.

Vape is one of the types of electronic cigarettes

Above is some information about e-cigarettes as well as the harmful effects that e-cigarettes cause. Tnhelearning.edu.vn hopes this article brings you a lot of useful information.

Source: People’s Hospital 115, Vinmec.com

Tnhelearning.edu.vn