Revealing the Dangers: The Truth About Vaping and Hookah Smoking

Our society has long grappled with the dangers of smoking, but now faces an additional threat as vaping and hookah use among young adults skyrocket. Driven by the allure of taste, fashion, and social appeal, these practices obscure significant health risks that require urgent attention.

Tobacco smoke has been linked to a number of cancers, including lung, bladder, stomach, esophageal, and oral cancers. Smokers are at risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, asthma attacks, decreased lung function, fatigue, pneumonia, heart disease, oral problems, stroke, and infertility. Secondhand smoke is just as harmful. Pregnant women exposed to it can have breathing problems, miscarriages, or give birth to low-birthweight babies. Children exposed to secondhand smoke can suffer from developmental delays, stunted growth, asthma, and increased lung infections. Sharing smoking devices also increases the risk of transmitting diseases such as tuberculosis, influenza, COVID-19, and herpes.

Initially marketed as a safer alternative, vaping has become a major public health concern, especially among young people who mistakenly believe it is harmless. Flavored e-liquids and fancy devices hide potential health risks. Both traditional cigarettes and vaping products contain nicotine or flavored liquids with various additives. Studies have linked vaping to lung damage, heart problems, asthma, bronchitis, and “popcorn lung” caused by inhaling diacetyl. Some additives in vaping products, such as benzoic acid, propylene glycol, and diethyl carbonate, are known genotoxins and carcinogens in animals.

The E-cigarette, or vaping product, vaping-related abuse (EVALI) outbreak is linked to the vitamin E acetate in e-cigarettes. Vaping marijuana has also become popular, which increases the risk of addiction. The addictive nature of nicotine in many vaping products increases the likelihood of dual addiction to both vape pens and traditional cigarettes, posing a risk of lifelong addiction among young users.

Hookah smoking, often seen as a cultural and social pastime, also carries serious health risks. Inhaling flavored tobacco smoke through a hookah is mistakenly thought to be less harmful than smoking cigarettes. However, hookah smoke contains 30 to 40 times more tar, 15 to 20 times more carbon monoxide, and 50 to 80 percent more nicotine than cigarettes. According to the CDC, a single hookah session can result in inhaling 350 to 400 times more smoke than a single cigarette. The water in hookahs does not filter toxic chemicals effectively, and long-term use has been linked to respiratory disease, cardiovascular problems, and cancer.

Addressing these issues requires comprehensive public health campaigns to educate teens, parents, and educators about the risks of vaping and hookah smoking. Regulatory measures are necessary to control the marketing, sale, and distribution of these products, especially to minors. As social norms evolve and technology advances, proactive measures are essential to protect public health. Only through collective efforts can we prevent future generations from falling victim to the hidden dangers of vaping and hookah smoking. It is time to abandon these harmful habits and protect our health.

The article was authored by Dr Prashant Saxena, Senior Director and Head of the Department of Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram.

Disclaimer: The hospital and physician concerned are responsible for the accuracy of the statements contained in this article.

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