SHOT CHECK has presented an issue on the dangers of vaping

A 16-year-old teenager who was treated by pulmonologist Pavel Berezhansky had 90% of his lungs damaged due to EVALI syndrome, a severe lesion of the respiratory system associated with the use of electronic nicotine delivery devices. This was stated by a professor at Sechenov University and a representative of the Popular Front in a new issue of SHOT CHECK, dedicated to violations in the vaping market.

According to the doctor, substances contained in liquids for electronic nicotine delivery devices, including propylene glycol, glycerin and nicotine salts, can disrupt the work of local respiratory tract immunity and provoke chronic inflammation. In severe cases, it leads to damage to the alveoli, the smallest structures of the lungs responsible for gas exchange, and the development of fibrosis.

"It's as if all the lungs were filled with just fat, fat emulsion or some kind of oil. And, in principle, the alveoli stop performing their respiratory function, the most important thing," Berezhansky explained.

The doctor stressed that giving up vaping does not always mean an immediate cessation of the pathological process. According to him, inflammation can persist even after stopping the use of electronic nicotine delivery devices, and in some cases the damaged tissue is replaced by connective tissue, which leads to fibrosis.

In the issue of SHOT, the REVIEW drew attention to the effects of electronic nicotine delivery devices on adolescents. Vera Nikishina, Director of the Institute of Clinical Psychology and Social Work at Pirogov University, Doctor of Psychology, Professor, warned about possible violations of attention, memory and thought processes when using vapes.

"The use of electrons can easily cause an altered state of consciousness. We get a dysfunctional brain from the younger generation," Nikishina said.

Pavel Shapkin, Chairman of the National Consumer Rights Protection Union, noted that even a child can receive electronic nicotine and liquid delivery devices through channels in popular messengers.

Pavel Shapkin also drew attention to the procedure for issuing permits and the lack, according to him, of a full-fledged inspection of products before they enter circulation.

"You are given a license without these examinations and checks. No one comes to you, no inspectors. The declaration is consistent. You can receive it without leaving the room at all simply through an online payment. Without any analysis, without even seeing the products," said the chairman of the National Union for Consumer Protection.

Laboratory studies of popular models of electronic nicotine delivery devices conducted as part of the investigation revealed inconsistencies with the stated characteristics. According to the test results, the nicotine content in a number of devices exceeded the stated values several times. In addition, the actual volume of the liquid did not match the one indicated on the package. Such discrepancies can pose a threat to consumers and lead to budget revenue losses due to underpayment of excise taxes.

Evgenia Gnuchikh, Deputy Director for Scientific Work at FSBSI VNIIT, explained that the amount of excise tax is related to the volume of liquid.

"The volume of liquid is an excisable amount, that is, the excise tax is paid with the volume of liquid. Accordingly, if the volume is stated, but in fact the volume is higher, it means that this is an underpayment of excise tax in the state," the expert noted.