Page 14 - IFV Issue 4 May 2023

Today’s Child

DOES VAPING POSE A RISK? • New studies have found that the way the body
Yes! The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in the metabolises nicotine may cause cancer by damaging string
US released a warning in August 2019 and said that 149 DNA. It also inhibits the ability to repair the DNA.
people have contracted a severe respiratory illness after • It may be the gateway to other types of addictions later
vaping. They went on to say that the rapid onset and the in life.
severity of the illness is alarming. The illness resembles • Independent testing done has shown that even
an inhalation injury, with the lungs reacting to a caustic ‘nicotine-free’ cartridges contained levels of nicotine.
substance. • In addition, vaping is known to irritate the lungs.
The danger is that, as with anything popular and in • A recent study showed that after 30 minutes of vaping,
demand, suppliers will try to set themselves apart, change there is an increase in blood pressure and heart rate as well
the liquid, adding new components and, in an industry with as stiffening of the arteries.
very little regulation and testing, this could be potentially • Harvard researchers found that the common flavourings
fatal. There is concern in the US that counterfeit products used (such as 2,3-pentanedione and diacetyl), cause
or contaminated reagents are responsible for eight recent permanent and sometimes even fatal scarring build-up in
deaths and around 500 hospitalisations. the lungs. Systematically, they destroy the smallest airways
within the lungs, causing bronchiolitis obliterans (i.e.
SO WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES? popcorn lung).
As with cigarettes, most vaping devices contains nicotine. • Vaping can cause serious irreparable lung damage.
Nicotine is not only highly addictive but it can: • The chemicals have an immunosuppressive effect so
• Slow down brain development in teens; they lower the body’s ability to fight infection – significantly
• Affect their memory and ability to learn; more so than smoking.
• Affect their attention and concentration; • The liquid contains metals such as tin, aluminium,
• Impact their self-control and mood. nickel, iron, silver, chromium and silicate at the same

12 • Issue 4 2023 • The Villager