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From potential lung damage to other adverse health risks, here's why Dr. Babak recommends thinking twice before vaping
6 December 2023
| Last updated on 11 December 2023
Vaping has grown in popularity over the past decade across the UAE.
With newer vape pen designs as well as the nicotine flavouring, which often comes in attractive scents, it's no surprise that more vapes are being used.
Young adults are some of the biggest users of vape pens, with vaping surpassing regular cigarettes as the preferred choice for nicotine consumption.
Relatively little is known, however, about the potential effects of chronic vaping on the respiratory system. Whether or not vaping reduces the harm tobacco causes also remains controversial.
"Vaping is not without risk," says Dr. Seyed Babak Jamalian, Family Medicine Specialist at Mediclinic Al Sufouh in Dubai.
In this guide, Dr. Seyed Babak explains the effects of chronic vaping on respiratory health.
Is vaping less harmful than cigarettes?
Despite facing ongoing questions about safety, vaping is often referred to as a less harmless alternative to smoking cigarettes.
Vaping nicotine is "around 95% less harmful than cigarettes," determined an NHS report.
Another study found that vaping nicotine increased rates of smoking abstinence among those switching from cigarettes to vape pens.
Effects of vaping on our health
While vaping is significantly less harmful than traditional cigarettes, nicotine consumption still poses risks to people's health, whether they're an active smoker or don't smoke.
Secondhand smoke among non-smokers
"Multiple leading health organisations have concluded that vaping is still harmful," says Dr. Seyed.
He adds: "Studies have demonstrated airborne particulate matter in the proximity of active vapers, and concern remains that secondhand exposure to vaped aerosols may cause adverse effects" to non-smokers.
Vaping-induced lung injury
Although few studies that can draw concrete conclusions, clinicians, scientists, and public health officials have proposed multiple ways lung injuries related to vaping can be caused.
However, this is still limited because of small-scale human studies and ongoing conflicts due to tobacco industry funding.
Respiratory problems
According to Dr. Seyed, health outcomes among chronic vape pen users remains an open question.
"To date, no large scale prospective cohort studies exist that can establish a causal link between vape use and adverse respiratory outcomes," he explains.
What medical experts currently know of the health effects of vaping is largely limited to case reports of acute lung injury, and health surveys drawing associations between vaping exposure and patient-reported outcomes.
Coughing and asthma symptoms
Survey studies of teenagers who regularly vape found increased respiratory symptoms, including productive cough, regardless of cigarette smoking status.
A series of surveys identified more severe asthma symptoms and more days of school missed owing to asthma among vape pen users.
Studies among adults have shown a similar pattern, with increased prevalence of chronic respiratory conditions (ie, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) among vape pen users.
Other health risks
There is also a higher risk of myocardial infarction and stroke, but lower risk of diabetes.
Lung function
Reported studies have assessed how people's lungs are functioning after a brief exposure to vape aerosols, varying from 5-60 minutes in duration, and no longer term observational cohort studies exist.
"While some studies have shown increased airway resistance after vaping exposure, others have shown no change in lung function," notes Dr. Seyed.
He adds that the impact of vaping on longer-term respiratory heath still remains to be seen.
Treatments in Dubai
No definitive therapy has been identified for the treatment of vaping-related lung injuries.
If you're a frequent vape pen user or you spend ample time around someone who vapes, it's recommended to keep an eye on any changes in your respiratory health.
For consultations with Dr. Seyed Babak Jamalian, please get in touch below.
Dr. Seyed Babak Jamalian
Family Medicine Specialist
Mediclinic Al Sufouh, Dubai
