HEALTH EXPERTS WARNED YOUTHS; METALLIC COMPOUNDS ON VAPE

The Department of Education (DepEd) will intensify its action against the so-called "silent pandemic" in the use of e-cigarettes or vape by minors. Education Assistant Secretary Dexter Galban said that they will contact various government agencies so that minors lose access to vape. 

Dangers of vape among students and youth (Photo courtesy of Edd Gumban/Philippine Star)

In the global youth tobacco survey, it appears that more than 14% of Filipino students are already using vape. DOH Secretary Herbosa said that doctors treating 15-16 years old patients using vape says that their lungs are destroyed and damaged.

"The interest now is vaping because they now come in flavors, they come now on bright new packages. We are logging to be able to conduct more parent trainings. For some they don't even know that their children's online store is vaping," Galban stated.

First insisted by the health expert Dr. Maricar Limpin that the use of vape can be considered an addiction, especially among minors. He said that smoking and vape are dangerous because they both contain nicotine. There have been seven recorded cases of lung disease caused by the use of vape or e-cigarettes.

"Quitting vape is more difficult than smoking, she warned vaping is like putting cancerous elements into your body. Even if there is no smoke or little smoke, other chemicals can be found including metallic compounds. Therefore it is not vapor, it is an aerosol,” Limpin added.

Even in cases when there is little to no smoke, metallic compounds and other chemicals can be detected in vape, which is why it's an aerosol rather than vapor-and Limpin cautioned that giving up vaping is more difficult than quitting smoking.

Source: GMA Integrated News 

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