Page 13 - Dainfern Precinct Living Issue 4 May 2023

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Today's Child

SO WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES?
As with cigarettes, most vaping contains nicotine. Nicotine is not
only highly addictive but it can:
• Slow down brain development in teens;
• Affect their memory and ability to learn;
• Affect their attention and concentration;
• Impact their self-control and mood.
• New studies have found that the way the body metabolises nicotine
may cause cancer by damaging string DNA. It also inhibits the ability
to repair the DNA.
• It may be the gateway to other types of addictions later in life.
aping might seem cool or a • Independent testing done has shown that even ‘nicotine-free’
better alternative to smoking cartridges contained levels of nicotine.
but recent media reports are • In addition, vaping is known to irritate the lungs.
Vindicating that it is essential that • A recent study showed that after 30 minutes of vaping, there is an
you educate yourself and your teen on this increase in blood pressure and heart rate as well as stiffening of the
arteries.
and take note of the increasing number of • Harvard researchers found that the common flavourings used (such
warnings from medical professionals. as 2,3-pentanedione and diacetyl), cause permanent and sometimes
even fatal scarring build-up in the lungs. Systematically, they destroy
WHAT IS VAPING? the smallest airways within the lungs, causing bronchiolitis obliterans
They go by various names – e-cigarettes, (i.e. popcorn lung).
vapes, vaporisers. They are electronic • Vaping can cause serious irreparable lung damage.
devices which produce nicotine in a vapour • The chemicals have an immunosuppressive effect so they lower the
rather than smoke. Inside the device is a body’s ability to fight infection - significantly more so than smoking.
cartridge containing a liquid which can be • The liquid contains metals such as tin, aluminium, nickel, iron, silver,
refuelled. This liquid contains nicotine, chromium and silicate at the same and even higher levels than
(studies show the concentration can be cigarettes. These metals are released as nanoparticles that penetrate
three times higher than in cigarettes), into the respiratory system causing irreversible scarring and damage.
They are linked to an increased risk of cancer.
various chemicals, oils and some flavouring • They contain Formaldehyde, an embalming fluid which also increases
and sometimes marijuana-based the risk of cancer.
compounds (THC). The device heats the • There are increasing reports of lipoid pneumonia. This is an
liquid, which results in the vapour, which is inflammatory reaction to the presence of lipid substances (fat
then inhaled. deposits) in the lungs. The source is the glycerine-based oils found in
vaping compounds.
The liquid does not contain carbon • A new study conducted in Adelaide found that flavoured e-cigarette
monoxide, or tobacco, nor does it produce liquids can kill lung cells. Some countries are considering banning the
tar, so the assumption is that it is a flavoured liquids. Whilst research is on-going, apple flavoured liquids
One in four high school • appear to be the most dangerous.
healthier alternative to smoking cigarettes.
It can cause lung failure. Recently, a 17-year-old released a video to
However, the problem is that because it
children are vaping, show other teens what can happen from vaping - he survived after
is relatively new, research is limited and
being in an induced coma for 10 days.
not much is known about the side effects.
young adults are vaping, • A US poll showed that 40% of teens surveyed use products
Many people think it is a great way to stop
containing TCH, the active and very addictive ingredient of marijuana
smoking cigarettes and that it is safer, but
and many older people • which can damage the brain and can have long term effects.
mounting evidence is proving this not to be
Devices have been known to catch fire and even explode. One such
the case. Increasingly, there are reports of
case resulted in a death.
are vaping. They believe • Overall, vaping can cause death.
serious lung damage, frightening physical
reactions and even death.
vaping will help them to Please remember that Hookahs or Shishas can cause the same
damage as e-cigarettes. The bottom line is you have no idea what
DOES VAPING POSE A RISK?
quit smoking but, is it you are buying, or what is in that cartridge. The risk you are taking is
Yes! The Centre for Disease Control and
potentially terrifying.
Prevention in the US released a warning
really safe? Just because everyone seems to be doing it, it doesn’t mean you should!
in August 2019 and said that 149 people
have contracted a severe respiratory illness
after vaping. They went on to say that About Life Talk® Forum
the rapid onset and the severity of the Life Talk’s mission is to create happy, successful and fulfilled youth
illness is alarming. The illness resembles an guided by sound values. Life Talk is a non-profit organisation dedicated
inhalation injury, with the lungs reacting to to raising awareness and seeking solutions to the challenges faced by
a caustic substance. parents and their children.
The danger is that, as with anything LIFE TALK® FORUM NPC
popular and in demand, suppliers will try REG: 2010/017980/08
to set themselves apart, change the liquid, PBO # 930 036317
adding new components and, in an industry
with very little regulation and testing, this
could be potentially fatal. There is concern Contact Nicoleen@lifetalk.co.za to find out about
in the US that counterfeit products or Life Talk’s essential services:
• School talks (for students and parents) on a wide range of topics.
contaminated reagents are responsible • Staff Workplace Development: parents who are coping at home are more
for eight recent deaths and around 500 productive and focused at work.
hospitalisations. • Supportive parenting books.
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