Dr. Probo Yudha Pratama Putra, lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) (Photo: Special) |
Many people think consuming vape or electric cigarettes is safer than traditional cigarettes. This is based on the assumption that there is no tobacco content in e-cigarettes. Thus, vape became safer and is not harmful to health.
However, it was denied by a lecturer at the Fakultas Kedokteran (FK) (trans: Medical Faculty), University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM), Dr. Probo Yudha Pratama Putra. He explained that vaping also risks harming its users, just like traditional cigarettes.
"Electronic nicotine dispensing systems (ENDS) as we known as e-cigarettes or vape, has a lot of ingredients and composition that are harmful for our bodies," he said.
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Moreover, the vape itself contains nickel-wired batteries, copper, and silver. Meanwhile, the liquid comprises propylene glycole, nicotine, glycerol, tetrahydrocannabinol, acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, and acetamide. The various compositions will mix and form smoke inhaled by the body. According to Yudha, the effects of the smoke are harmful.
In 2019, an outbreak of disease caused by vaping, namely e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury outbreak, known as the EVALI outbreak. This is caused by chronic inflammation caused by the content of the vapor. The user can increase inflammatory mediators in the body, and also oxidative stress in our body," explained the doctor who graduated from FK UMM.
Not just painful, Yudha said that EVALI is also fatal. It can cause death. According to one research, 68 deaths in one region were reported to have occurred from the use of vape. Some patients even required mechanical ventilation to help them breathe. For those who are already in severe condition, it leads to death.
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Regarding comparing e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes, Yudha explained that vape has a lower level of damage. This has been scientifically proven through expert research that can be accounted for. Yet, if vape is used excessively, it will become a time bomb that can harm our bodies.
"I think that the idea that vapes are better than cigarettes is incorrect. Avoid vape and conventional cigarettes as much as possible. Vape may have a lower level to harm, but it still has a bad effect on the lungs and the sustainability of the community," Yudha concluded. (Put/Lib/Wil)