Vape Liquid Is No Safer The Danger Is The Same As Conventional Cigarettes

Illustration of vape liquid (Freepic)

JAKARTA - Electric cigarettes or commonly called vape are often marketed as a more "safe" alternative. In fact, vape liquid turns out to have the same health risks as conventional cigarettes.

The chemical content in e-cigarettes can damage the respiratory system, even trigger serious disorders such as lung inflammation and chronic lung disease.

Pulmonary specialist from the University of Indonesia Hospital, dr. Aditya Wirawan, Ph.D, Sp.P, emphasized that e-cigarettes or vapes are also known as e-cigarettes or pens that contain harmful substances that are no less than ordinary cigarettes.

"Don't be fooled by a more modern or sophisticated impression. In fact, the content still endangers health," he said in an online health discussion, as quoted by ANTARA.

Electric cigarettes generally consist of batteries, heating elements, and cartridges filled with liquid. These liquids contain propylene glycol and glycerol, two chemicals that can cause damage to lung tissue, including serious conditions known as popcorn Lung.

Not only that, nicotine in vape liquids is often mixed with attractive species such as fruits or candy, to attract the attention of users, especially young people. However, Aditya emphasized that even though the aroma is tempting, the chemical content still has high potential to cause irritation in the respiratory tract.

Another impact that is no less serious is damage to silia, namely smooth hair in the airway which functions as a system of body defense to filter out dirt and dust. "Smoke smoke from both conventional and electric cigarettes can paralyze silia. As a result, germs are easier to enter and cause disturbances such as coughing, fanfare, and shortness of breath," he continued.

In the long term, exposure to active and passive cigarette smoke can cause Kronis Obstructive Lung Disease (PPOK), chronic bronchitis, even worsening asthma. About 15 to 20 percent of smokers, both direct users and those who are only exposed to smoke, are at risk of experiencing permanent lung disorders.

Aditya also reminded that the residual cigarette smoke that sticks to the surrounding objects is known as thirdhand smoke. Long-term exposure to these smoke remnants can worsen the quality of life, increase the risk of disease recurrence, and even early death, including from e-cigarette smoke.