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Global Crisis on Vaping Highlighted Amid Urgent WHO Appeal
Amidst growing concerns over the escalating vaping crisis among youth, Mothers Against Vaping, a coalition of proactive and concerned mothers, is urging immediate action following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) call on South East Asian countries to curb the use of new-age gateway devices like e-cigarettes and vapes, particularly among children and adolescents.
The WHO’s recent warning against the increasing prevalence of vaping in the region underscores the urgent need to address the viral spread of e-cigarettes and similar products. Mothers Against Vaping has reiterated the lack of evidence supporting the efficacy of e-cigarettes in smoking cessation, emphasizing the significant health risks these devices pose to children and youth.
According to Dr. Rajesh Gupta, Additional Director of Pulmonology & Critical Care at Fortis Healthcare, Noida, e-cigarettes have not been proven effective in quitting tobacco use. On the contrary, they contain nicotine and deliver harmful chemicals, posing a serious risk to users, especially young people.
The South-East Asia Region, according to WHO, has a significant prevalence of smokeless tobacco users, with around 11 million adolescent users aged 13-15, constituting nearly 30% of the global total. The rise in e-cigarette use among young people is attributed to factors like peer pressure and aggressive marketing by manufacturers.
Dr. Bhavna Barmi, Clinical Psychologist and Founder of Happiness Studio, highlights the mental health impacts of vaping, including mood and anxiety disorders, suicidal thoughts, and depressive symptoms.
Furthermore, a survey conducted by the American Heart Association in February 2023 revealed a concerning correlation between vaping nicotine and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and self-reported symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Dr. Varuna Pathak, former Professor of Gynaecology & Obstetrics at Gandhi Medical College, emphasizes the unknown long-term consequences of e-cigarettes, including serious lung injuries and adverse health effects.
India has taken proactive steps to combat the vaping crisis by banning e-cigarettes and similar products under the PECA 2019 legislation. Mothers Against Vaping urges India and other nations to prioritize demand reduction strategies to address the widespread prevalence of these harmful devices.
As the vaping epidemic continues to threaten the health and well-being of youth globally, urgent action is needed to protect future generations from the detrimental effects of e-cigarettes and similar products.
