London, UK: The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged governments to treat e-cigarettes similarly to tobacco and ban all flavoured vapes.
WHO stated that, “There was insufficient evidence that vapes helped smokers quit, that they were harmful to health, and that they could drive nicotine addiction among non-smokers, especially children and young people. More 13-15 year olds are using vapes than adults in all WHO regions helped by aggressive marketing.”
Some governments and researchers consider e-cigarettes or vapes as significant substitutes for nicotine cigarettes and a key tool in bringing down the number of deaths and diseases caused by smoking.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, stated that, “Kids are being recruited and trapped at an early age to use e-cigarettes and may get hooked to nicotine. I urge countries to implement strict measures to prevent uptake to protect their citizens, especially their children and young people.”
How vaping can harm your body
Nicotine Addiction:
Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance. Nicotine addiction can lead to cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and difficulty quitting.
Affects Brain Development:
Nicotine is particularly harmful to the developing brains of adolescents and young adults, especially with the negative effect on memory, learning, and attention.
Lung Damage:
Some cases of severe lung injury, known as vaping-associated lung injury (VALI), have been reported. This serious condition can cause inflammation, scarring, and even death.
Chemical Exposure:
E-cigarette liquids often contain harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, acrolein, and acetaldehyde, which can be released during vaping and may lead to health issues.
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