A pediatric pulmonologist’s perspective on the myths surrounding e-cigarettes
By Dr. Devika Rao, pediatric pulmonologist at Children’s Health | Contributor
Recently, a friend of mine shared that her five-year-old son asked her why people smoke. As a pediatrician, she explained the addictive nature of nicotine found in cigarettes. He responded, “I’ll just vape because it prevents you from smoking.” My friend was shocked and inquired where he had heard such information. He mentioned, “On the commercial.”
In 2018, the U.S. Surgeon General released a warning regarding e-cigarette usage (commonly referred to as vaping) among young people, highlighting a 78 percent rise in usage among children from 2017 to 2018. Just last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced investigations into 215 cases across 25 states, potentially linked to lung disease from e-cigarettes.
As a specialist in pediatric lung diseases, I am not surprised by these developments. The truth is that e-cigarettes are detrimental to health. Even though e-cigarettes and vaping devices have been available in the U.S. since 2007, medical research has quickly amassed evidence over recent years regarding their hazards. We know that children who vape are at increased risk for chronic bronchitis and worsening asthma symptoms. Additionally, the aerosol produced by e-cigarettes contains not only nicotine but also substances such as benzene, formaldehyde, and toxic heavy metals like nickel, chromium, and lead, all of which are unsafe to inhale. Moreover, the flavoring agents, while safe for eating, can cause lung cell damage.
However, these findings from recent studies are only part of the story. Currently making headlines are instances of teenagers and young adults experiencing acute lung injuries associated with vaping. These cases exhibit symptoms like fever, chest tightness, and shortness of breath, resembling pneumonia, yet no infectious agents like bacteria or viruses have been identified. Some patients require intensive care treatment, and one death has been reported. The CDC is currently investigating, and a shared factor in these cases is the use of e-cigarettes.
There is a prevalent misconception among teenagers and parents that vaping poses no serious health risks. According to a survey from the Schroder Institute, over 50 percent of teenagers were unaware that their e-cigarettes contain nicotine. This misunderstanding, combined with appealing flavors such as crème and mango, has resulted in a dramatic spike in e-cigarette usage: as noted in the U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory, one in four high school students and one in twenty middle school students is now vaping. Given the sleek, USB-like appearance of many vaping devices, students are consuming them not only in school restrooms but also in classrooms.
We are witnessing an entire generation of youth becoming dependent on nicotine, and the long-term health impacts remain unknown. E-cigarettes have not been approved by the FDA for smoking cessation, while other alternatives have been scientifically proven to aid in quitting smoking. Considering that children as young as my friend’s five-year-old are being led to believe that e-cigarettes are beneficial, we must all—parents, health professionals, educators, leaders, and role models—convey a clear message: e-cigarettes are not safe. They are highly addictive and are ubiquitous, including in schools. It is imperative to begin discussions with your children and loved ones now.
