A doctor spoke about the negative effects of vapes on the cardiovascular system
Vapes, like traditional cigarettes, contain toxic substances, including nicotine, propylene glycol and glycerin. Nicotine is highly addictive and affects the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes, Elena Polikanova, MD, PhD, a physiotherapist at JSC Medicine (Academician Roitberg's clinic), told Izvestia on January 23.
"Propylene glycol and glycerin when heated release carcinogens that can damage lung tissue. Adult smokers may eventually develop asthma, chronic bronchitis, as well as damage to the endothelium of blood vessels," the expert noted.
According to her, teenagers are most vulnerable to the harmful effects of vapes. Nicotine negatively affects the forming brain, adversely affects memory, impairs concentration and cognitive abilities.
"Adolescents form addiction faster, which makes it difficult to quit smoking. In addition, long-term use of vape in adolescents can cause weakening of immunity, damage to lung tissue, as well as disorders of the cardiovascular system," Polikanova explained.
She expressed the opinion that banning vapes could help reduce their popularity, especially among teenagers. Despite manufacturers' claims of safety, these devices provoke addiction, impair health and are often used by children, the physiotherapist added.
"It is especially important to limit minors' access to vape devices, as their bodies are most susceptible to the negative effects of nicotine and toxic substances," she emphasized.
At the same time, the main danger of vapes is the negative impact on the lungs and cardiovascular system. Vapor inhaled by the smoker contains carcinogens and toxic compounds that can provoke chronic diseases such as bronchitis, asthma, inflammatory processes in the lungs.
"The use of flavorings increases the risk of lung tissue damage and the development of the so-called popcorn disease - bronchitis obliterans," the doctor added.
The expert specified that medical studies record an increase in cases of lung and cardiovascular diseases among vape users. People who regularly use these devices show symptoms of lipid pneumonia, chronic bronchitis and asthma. In addition, adolescents who started with vapes are more likely to switch to traditional cigarettes, aggravating their dependence on nicotine.
On the eve of the State Duma passed a law on a multiple increase in fines for the sale of vapes to children. On the same day, Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma, noted that a number of violations had been recorded earlier, including sales near educational institutions.
