What are the potential dangers of e-cigarettes?

(Baonghean.vn) - A recent report by the U.S. Surgeon General's Office stated that the use of e-cigarettes, also known as "vaping," is "a major health concern" for users. This has heated up the debate about whether this new habit is safer than smoking regular cigarettes.

On this issue, there are currently two opposing viewpoints within the healthcare professional community.

In the US, tobacco control advocates have been resolute in saying no to e-cigarettes, arguing that using e-cigarettes is no safer than using regular cigarettes. Meanwhile, UK health experts and officials have taken a less aggressive stance, suggesting that using e-cigarettes is safer than using regular cigarettes.

Vaping: More harm than good.

In fact, e-cigarettes produce vapor from nicotine-containing solutions without burning tobacco leaves like traditional cigarettes. This eliminates tobacco smoke – the most harmful component of smoking. Therefore, public health officials in the UK want to use e-cigarettes as a method of quitting smoking for people addicted to tobacco in the country.

However, officials in the US are concerned that e-cigarettes will attract more people who have never used or become addicted to nicotine before.

Concerns from US officials are well-founded following a recent investigation report by US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, which revealed a dramatic increase in e-cigarette use in the US, particularly among young people. The report cited a 900% increase in e-cigarette use among students since 2011, leading to the proliferation of e-cigarette shops across the country.

The report also presents specific scientific evidence regarding the sensitivity of the developing human brain to nicotine, one of the most addictive chemicals.

The popularity of vaping among young people.

At the same time, the use of e-cigarettes also poses another unforeseen health hazard: the possibility of e-cigarettes exploding. In the US, in just two years, 2015-2016, there were 66 reported cases of e-cigarette devices exploding unexpectedly, causing very serious harm to users.

The reason e-cigarettes can explode is due to the type of lithium battery used. According to Associate Professor Venkat Viswanathan, a mechanical engineering specialist at Carnegie Mellon University (USA): "The electrolytes inside the battery are very similar to... gasoline. Therefore, if the battery is short-circuited, the heat generated inside can cause these substances to ignite and explode."

Currently, buying, selling, and using e-cigarettes is completely legal, so whether or not to use them is a personal choice. However, based on scientific research and real-world usage data, the current e-cigarette trend may not be entirely "clean." It's best to carefully consider your options before buying and using this technology.

Ha Linh

(According to The Atlantic.com)