BETONG: Smoking electronic cigarettes or vapes is not an effective way to quit smoking, according to Dr. Johnny Pangkas.
The health officer said that a study conducted in the United States showed an increase in the use of e-cigarettes among teenagers due to their perception that these devices are less harmful.
Some people even mistakenly believe that using e-cigarettes can help them quit smoking.
However, Dr. Johnny strongly disagreed with this notion. He said this when contacted by Suara Sarawak on the increase usage of electrical cigarette among the teenagers.
When asked about the rising popularity of e-cigarettes among teenagers, Dr. Johnny said that those who want to quit smoking should seek proper treatment at nearby government clinics.
He expressed his concern about the growing use of e-cigarettes among teenagers.
Dr. Johnny highlighted the potential health risks associated with e-cigarette use. He said that the chemical content in these devices can lead to various diseases, particularly lung diseases. One such condition is known as Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI).
Moreover, research suggests that the damage caused by e-cigarettes to the lungs may be permanent and difficult to recover from.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) has reported 17 cases of EVALI at present.
