Vaping poses serious health risks

Vaping has emerged as one of the most talked-about health issues of the decade, yet many misconceptions surround the practice. While often marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, health experts caution that vaping carries significant risks that cannot be ignored. Unlike traditional cigarettes, which rely on burning tobacco, vaping involves inhaling vapor produced from heating a liquid, usually containing nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals.

Dr. Prudence Mutsimba of Cimas Health Group explained that vape liquids commonly include nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, flavoring agents, heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and carcinogens. While some of these substances are safe to ingest, their long-term effects when inhaled remain largely unknown. Chemicals such as diacetyl, used for flavoring, have been linked to serious lung conditions, including bronchiolitis obliterans, commonly referred to as "popcorn lung."

Short-term effects of vaping can include mouth and airway irritation, coughing, headaches, dizziness, nausea, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Over the long term, users may experience chronic lung inflammation, cardiovascular problems, and an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Young people are particularly vulnerable, as nicotine exposure can negatively affect attention, learning, memory, and lung development. Vaping has also been associated with conditions such as vaping-associated pulmonary injury (VAPI), which can be life-threatening and resistant to conventional treatments.

Nicotine dependence is another major concern. According to Dr. Mutsimba, addiction manifests in psychological, physical, and behavioral forms, including strong cravings, mood changes, withdrawal symptoms, and preoccupation with the vaping device. Second-hand exposure is also dangerous, especially for children and pregnant women, as nicotine can cross the placenta and affect fetal development, potentially causing intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, and long-term neurological issues.

Although vaping exposes users to fewer toxic chemicals than smoking, it is not harmless. Experts stress that for those attempting to quit smoking, switching to vaping may reduce harm, but the ultimate goal should always be complete cessation of nicotine use. Dr. Mutsimba emphasized the need for a multi-pronged approach to prevention, including school-based education programs, parental engagement, and community health promotion initiatives led by healthcare professionals.

For those looking to quit vaping, nicotine replacement therapies, behavioral strategies, and prescription medications such as bupropion and varenicline can help manage withdrawal symptoms. Stricter regulations on the contents, labeling, marketing, and sale of vape products are also necessary, with age restrictions enforced and products classified as harmful substances. Public awareness campaigns, particularly through social media, are essential to reach younger audiences and combat misconceptions.

"Vaping is not a safe alternative to smoking," Dr. Mutsimba said. "It introduces harmful chemicals into the body, carries significant health risks, and is highly addictive. Prevention is the best strategy, but if someone has already started, they should seek help to quit."

As vaping continues to grow in popularity, especially among teenagers and young adults, health experts stress that education, regulation, and support for quitting are key to preventing serious long-term consequences.