Don’t be fooled by e-cigarettes, warn UAE doctors

Viral videos show e-cigarettes exploding in users' pockets and hands

Doctors in the UAE are urging e-cigarette users to be aware of the health risks from the practice of vaping and say e-cigarettes are just as harmful as smoking tobacco.
Millions of cigarette smokers around the world, including in the UAE, want to kick the habit and have switched to what they believe is a healthier and safer alternative which is equally dangerous.
Viral videos show e-cigarettes exploding in users' pockets and hands, often causing severe disfigurement, but doctors warn that vaping may also cause cancer and heart disease due to deadly chemicals that users inhale.
Dr Georgey Koshy, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Cardiology, Universal Hospital, said there are no legitimate studies backing up the safety of e-cigarettes. "There is no real research conducted to prove the devices are safe alternatives to smoking regular cigarettes."
"There are many brands available out there, so there is no standardisation on e-cigarettes."
The UAE follows World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines and the Ministry of Health has banned the import and sale of e-cigarettes.
However, vapes are becoming widely used as a nicotine replacement therapy, and Dr Koshy urges greater awareness about the dangers of the habit.
There is no denying the fact that e-cigarettes have harmful substances as part of their main ingredients, including bezel, which is a petroleum-based product that is also found in traditional cigarettes.
"Some researchers claim that e-cigarettes are up to 95 per cent safer than regular cigarettes, yet there are no proper studies to compare the two methods."
Dr Koshy said vaping also attracts "fresh smokers who have never ever  smoked cigarettes in their lives."
"Non-smokers believe e-cigarettes are safe and begin smoking vapes, but eventually move on to traditional cigarettes." He noted that the most efficient way to quit smoking is to use nicotine patches or chewing gum.
Dr Jairam Aithal, Consultant, Cardiovascular Disease, Burjeel Hospital, said a majority of smokers who have turned to vaping as an alternative, are unaware of the dangers "For sure, e-cigarettes are just as harmful as regular cigarettes."
Dr Aithal pointed out that carcinogenic ingredients include formaldehyde, which is a flammable chemical often used in building materials and household products, an anti-freeze substance, as well as diacetyl, which affects the lungs. This chemical causes deposits inside the lungs and eventually destroys the organ.
He noted that e-cigarettes also has nicotine, which causes blockages in the heart, brain or other arteries over time.
"E-cigarette manufacturers are simply packaging the dangerous ingredients in another form, which is just as harmful as traditional cigarettes."
These devices are banned by the UAE government because there are no studies to prove vapes help people get-off cigarette addiction."
He noted that no reliable guidelines, such as those by the American College of Cardiology, or the Lung and Heart Association, suggests vaping is the preferred method to quitting smoking.
"There are also secondary health risks to people who are not smoking e-cigarettes, but are around the smoker."
Dr Aithal noted that there are a number of alternatives to curb the habit of smoking, including joining smoking cessation clinics. "Such centres use psychotherapy and lifestyle measures, as well as raise awareness to help smokers quit this dangerous habit."
No ban online
Despite the ban on e-cigarettes in the UAE, the gadgets and liquid are peddled through sites like dubaivapers.com, lets-vape.com and uaevaping.com. The e-liquid in different flavours is priced at Dh75 to Dh95. The e-cigarette device can be bought for Dh100 upwards. Most sites offer free delivery for bulk orders. The liquids are marketed under brand names like Milkman, Halo, Black Note, and even the bizarre-sounding Suicide Bunny.
Gadget and vapours
. An e-cigarette is a handheld electronic device which vaporises a flavoured liquid.
. The most critical part of the e-cigarette is the battery.
. A sensor inside the battery activates when a user begins inhaling or presses a button
. E-cigarettes come with disposable cartridges, also known as atomisers
. The liquid in the e-cigarette is known as e-liquid or e-juice
. It usually contains nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerine, and flavourings
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai