Turkish Thoracic Association Central Board member Prof. Dr. In his written statement, Metin Akgün warned about the health hazards of electronic cigarettes.
Emphasizing that e-cigarettes are devices that “imitate tobacco smoke inhalation”, Akgün underlined that they are harmful like other tobacco products.
Akgün said, “These devices heat a liquid to create aerosols that are inhaled by the user. A heating source consists of a power source, such as a battery, and a container, such as a cartridge or tank, filled with liquid. All e-cigarettes that claim to be less harmful contain varying amounts of nicotine.” “And some products that claim to be nicotine-free have also been found to contain nicotine.” he said.
Stating that the first generation e-cigarettes released by the tobacco industry tend to be more similar to traditional cigarettes, Akgün said:
“While e-cigarettes are increasingly becoming devices that differ from cigarettes, devices that use nicotine salt that releases higher doses of nicotine instead of the liquid nicotine found in previous models have been introduced to the market. These disposable devices in the form of puff bars can contain very high doses of nicotine as well as many harmful chemicals. Electronic cigarettes, which are presented as an alternative to smokers because they are supposedly ‘less harmful’, create new addicts and are then used together with traditional cigarettes. Because these products contain high doses of nicotine, it is inevitable for young people who smoke e-cigarettes to use other tobacco products. “It has been shown that the use of traditional cigarettes has increased threefold.”
Pointing out that the vapor produced by electronic cigarettes is not harmless water vapor as claimed by the industry, Akgün said:
“Electronic cigarettes contain chemicals such as propylene glycol and/or glycerin, ethylene alcohol, polyethylene glycol, diacetyl, vitamin E acetate, diethylene glycol, heavy metals such as mercury, lead, nickel, chromium; usually nicotine but possibly sometimes marijuana (cannabis). “It contains more than 80 harmful chemicals and more than 16 thousand types of flavors. Additionally, as the metal parts of the e-cigarette in contact with the liquid heat up, many chemicals, including carbonyl compounds such as disinfectant substances, can be produced.”
Akgün pointed out that e-cigarette use is associated with an increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema due to its narrowing effect on the bronchi, and stated that it can cause irreversible lung damage and result in death.
“THERE IS NO SYSTEM THAT CONTROLS OR PREVENTS WHAT IS INSIDE”
Turkish Thoracic Association Tobacco Control Working Group Executive Board member Assoc. Dr. Seyhan Us Dülger also stated that electronic cigarettes, in addition to respiratory diseases, cause damage to the cardiovascular system such as coagulation disorders, hypertension, tachycardia, rhythm disorders, coronary artery disease, and aortic enlargement; He stated that it may cause gastrointestinal system disorders such as nausea, heartburn, dry mouth, indigestion and diarrhea.
Stating that it is also a factor in neurological disorders such as infertility, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes during pregnancy, hormonal effects resulting in obesity, muscle tremors, dizziness, headaches, sleep disorders, abnormal dreams, irritability and dizziness, Dülger said:
“It causes much worse consequences in children and young people, such as learning difficulties and impaired brain development. Although its sale is prohibited in our country, there is no system that controls and prevents exactly what is inside the puff bars that young people can easily access. Once a puff bar containing marijuana is used, “Even children and young people who apply to the emergency room due to acute psychosis can be seen.”
Dülger stated that they demand that the proposed regulations for tobacco control be implemented in a way that may complicate the sales and marketing of cigarettes and non-cigarette tobacco products, and that the entry of electronic cigarettes into Turkey be strictly and sustainably prevented.