Do you know what it feels like to struggle with every breath, as if your lungs are weighed down by a heavy burden? This discomfort is not just a vague fear but a reality for many suffering from the effects of air pollution, smoking, and vaping.
On World Lung Cancer Day, it's important to understand how modern habits like e-cigarette smoking and vaping, are affecting lung health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), vaping is not a safe alternative to smoking. The WHO suggests that e-cigarettes can still deliver harmful substances, including nicotine and other toxic chemicals, which can affect lung and cardiovascular health. Vaping can also lead to addiction and may pose risks to young people, as well as those with pre-existing health conditions.
Furthermore, air pollution poses a major health threat because PM 2.5, tiny particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, can cause serious diseases like lung cancer, stroke, and heart disease. These particles, which include dust and soot, can be inhaled deeply into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that long-term exposure to PM2.5 increases the risk of respiratory and heart problems, and notes that it can worsen existing health conditions and lead to early death.
Many youngsters turn towards vape as an alternative to smoking, says Dr Vibha Naik, Director, Medical Oncology & Haematology, Bone Marrow Transplant Physician, Sterling Hospitals, Vadodara. “As vaping becomes increasingly popular among young people and air pollution levels continue to rise globally, the health risks for Generation Z keep mounting. E-cigarette and vaping can cause serious respiratory issues, such as chronic bronchitis and asthma, and may also harm cardiovascular health. Over 60 percent youth in India are susceptible to e-cigarettes” she adds.
Dr Naik shares the alarming effects of vaping and urges young people to quit, stressing that the risks are too severe to ignore:
Increased respiratory problems: Both vaping and air pollution are linked to higher rates of respiratory issues among young people, including asthma, bronchitis, and other chronic lung diseases.
Also read: Asthma causes, symptoms and treatment
Reduced lung development: Exposure to e-cigarette aerosols and polluted air during critical growth periods can hinder lung development, leading to long-term health complications.
Cardiovascular risks: The chemicals in vaping liquids and air pollutants like PM2.5 and NO2 contribute to cardiovascular problems, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke in young people.
Weakened immune system: Vaping weakens the immune system, making young people more susceptible to infections, while air pollution exacerbates this vulnerability by causing inflammation and oxidative stress.
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Increased addiction: The nicotine in e-cigarettes is highly addictive, particularly for developing brains. This leads to higher addiction rates among young people compared to adults.
Mental health issues: Studies suggest that exposure to air pollution is linked to mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Nicotine addiction from vaping can also negatively affect mental health.
Higher cancer risk: Although there are no fixed symptoms of cancer, both vaping and air pollution expose young people to carcinogenic substances. Long-term exposure to these harmful chemicals increases the risk of developing cancer later in life.
Poor concentration: Health issues caused by vaping and air pollution, such as respiratory problems and reduced cognitive function, can lead to poor concentration and increased absenteeism.
Developmental delays: Chronic exposure to polluted air and the toxic chemicals in e-cigarettes can lead to developmental delays and impair cognitive and physical growth in young people.
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