On World Lung Cancer Day, UAE doctors reiterated the urgency of quitting smoking, emphasizing that vaping is not a safe substitute for traditional smoking. While vaping is often seen as less harmful. it is equally addictive and contains toxic chemicals, including aldehydes that can cause severe lung damage and chronic inflammation.
Preliminary studies have suggested that vaping can stimulate cancer development and growth due to nicotine and other chemicals present in vapes.
Dr. Raiza Hameed KH, a specialist pulmonologist, noted that more research is needed to fully understand the risks of lung cancer associated with vaping. However, it is clear that vaping can lead to various health issues such as throat irritation, chronic bronchitis, asthma, headache, anxiety, heart disease, and acute lung injury.
Dr. Mitchelle Lolly, another pulmonologist, highlighted that e-cigarettes were initially designed to help people quit smoking but were later found to be equally harmful and carcinogenic. The aerosol generated from vaping contains nicotine, ultrafine particles, flavoring agents like diacetyl linked to serious lung disease, cancer-causing chemicals, and heavy metals like nickel, tin, and lead.
Due to the harmful substances present, the US Food and Drug Administration has not approved vaping as a smoking cessation tool, and approximately 47 countries have banned its use and sale to protect public health and future generations.