According to the World Health Organization, one billion people will die from tobacco-related diseases in the 21st century.
While the percentage of people who smoke tobacco is declining, the use of electronic cigarettes has increased substantially, especially among youth and tobacco users interested in quitting.
E-cigarettes are perceived by many to be less harmful than tobacco cigarettes, yet their vapour has been found to contain heavy metals, nicotine (which is highly addictive), and many cancer-causing substances like formaldehyde and nitrosamines.
WHO reminds us that research has not yet established the safety of e-cigarettes or their effectiveness as smoking cessation aids. If you would like to quit smoking, ask your doctor about proven strategies, such as nicotine replacement therapy, medications, and counselling, during your next appointment.
And if you’ve taken up “vaping” for fun, think again.
