JAKARTA - Awareness of health is now growing, including among adult smokers who are starting to look for alternatives to reduce the negative impact of smoking habits, such as electronic cigarettes or often referred to as vape, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches. One of the options that are now widely used is electronic cigarettes, which are considered to have a lower risk profile than cigarettes.
The Chairman of the Free TAR and Cigarette Smoke Movement, Garindra Kartasasmita, explained the difference between electronic cigarettes and cigarettes is from the process of using them.
"The most significant difference is the process. Cigarettes are burned, while electronic cigarettes are through a heating system. It is the burning that makes the risk very different," said Garindra in a public discussion entitled Ngobrol Santai Bareng GEBRAK: Get to Know More About Alternative Tobacco Products and How to Use Them Responsibly in South Tangerang, Banten, not long ago, quoted Tuesday, April 7.
Through the heating system, electronic cigarettes heat nicotine-containing liquids into vapor. Electronic cigarettes deliver nicotine with a lower risk profile than cigarettes.
According to Garindra, understanding the difference is important so that adult smokers can make a more conscious decision. However, he emphasized that the use of alternative tobacco products still requires responsibility from users.
"As users of alternative tobacco products, we must know the place and time. Don't let the vapor bother others. At least if you vaporize the vapor up, and if it's in a narrow place or near others, you should ask for permission," he added.
A number of studies reinforce the differences in risk profiles in these electronic cigarettes. From within the country, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) study entitled Evaluation of Laboratory Tests for E-Cigarettes in Indonesia Based on WHO's Nine Toxicants and Evaluation and meta analysis of HTP testing method in harm reduction, shows that alternative tobacco products have a lower toxicity profile than cigarettes because they do not go through the combustion process, with lower toxicity levels based on World Health Organization (WHO) standards.
This is in line with international scientific studies published in the journal The Lancet entitled "Functionally important respiratory symptoms and continued cigarette use versus e-cigarette switching: population assessment of tobacco and health study waves 2-6". This observational cohort study involving more than 5,600 adult smokers in the United States reported that switching completely from conventional cigarettes (which are burned) to the use of electronic cigarettes or vapes for 30 days showed short-term improvements in functional respiratory function, even showing similar results to the effects observed in individuals who quit smoking completely.
Mamet, who is a former smoker and a member of the Matic Dizzy Person community, shared his experience switching from smoking to electronic cigarettes since 2019. He felt a significant change.
"First about appearance, my teeth are no longer yellow like before when I was still smoking. Body and clothes smell are also cleaner," he said.
For Mamet, the reason for switching also relates to the comfort of others around him to the positive impact on the surrounding environment. He explained that he uses electronic cigarettes to be safer and more comfortable, so he doesn't want the air in the house to be polluted by cigarette smoke. However, the transition process is not always easy.
"The most difficult thing is usually after eating or when you are dizzy. But fortunately, there are many flavors in vape, so it can help as a substitute," he said.
Mamet also emphasized the importance of responsible behavior as users by understanding the place and not forcing use in prohibited areas, because it can have an impact on other users, while reminding users to maintain environmental cleanliness by not throwing away cartridge waste or liquid bottles carelessly.
In the midst of the proliferation of information in the digital space, Mamet also reminded the public to be more wise in receiving information.
"Don't swallow raw information or just believe it from sources that haven't been validated," he said.
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