A concerning rise in the use of E-Cigarettes and vapes has been observed among the youth particularly college and University students in almost all parts of the country. Although these devices are often perceived to be safer and less harmful alternatives to traditional tobacco products, they are laden with highly addictive nicotine and Other harmful chemicals. Meanwhile, the cost difference and misperception regarding side effects and health hazards attached to e-cigarettes rapidly attracting habitual smokers and new addicts especially youngsters and women, poses a significant public health challenge.
There is a common perception in our society that e-cigarette is less hazardous than traditional tobacco products that are purely delusion and incorrect. The recent research has negated this theory and declared it equally poisonous like tobacco cigarette due to use of massive nicotine and other chemicals that directly effect lungs and sensitive body organs of the users. Unfortunately, e-cigarettes and vapes growing prevalence among people of all age-groups including men and women poses a significant public health challenge. That is very alarming in the absence of a comprehensive federal or provincial policy to regulate the sale and use of these products. This regulatory vacuum has led to unchecked access, making it easier for underage individuals to obtain and use e-cigarettes and vapes.
Due to serious health risks attached with the use of e-cigarettes and vapes, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recently recommended a global ban on flavoured vapes and urged for strict age restrictions on their sale. Pakistan Health Ministry and concerned departments have yet not access the gravity of this issue and these hazardous products were easily available in the market. Due to skyrocketing price-hikes of tobacco products, the middle and lower middle classes are rapidly switching from tobacco cigarette to e-cigarette that should be a great concern for health professionals. There is dire need of effective measures including legislation and regulation, awareness campaign, and control on sale/ purchase and use of e-cigarette and vapes so our young generation could be secured from dangerous health risks attached with the use of these hazardous products in the future.
