Contents:
- Medical Video: Why is the JUUL so popular?
- Risk of e-cigarettes
- Prevent children and teenagers from using electric cigarettes
- If you smoke
Medical Video: Why is the JUUL so popular?
E-cigarettes or electric cigarettes are promoted as a safe alternative to smoking. But in fact, e-cigarette still contains nicotine, a very addictive substance.
Electric cigarettes are devices that use batteries, designed to look and feel like ordinary cigarettes. Electric cigarette has cartridge containing liquid contains nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals. The heater converts the liquid into steam which is then inhaled. The use of e-cigarette is also known as "vaping".
Because electric cigarettes do not burn tobacco, users do not breathe as much tar and carbon monoxide as ordinary cigarettes. But e-cigarette users still breathe in doses of nicotine and other unhealthy chemicals.
Electric cigarette initially aims to help smokers quit. But with the recent rise of e-cigarettes, scientists and health experts are investigating its side effects.
Risk of e-cigarettes
E-cigarette does not produce harmful smoke, but does not make e-cigarettes a healthy alternative to ordinary cigarettes. E-cigarette users still breathe the nicotine levels absorbed by the lungs into the body's system. Apart from being an addictive substance, nicotine is toxic at high doses. Nicotine has even been used as an insecticide.
Nicotine affects the brain, nervous system, and heart. Nicotine also increases blood pressure and heart rate. The higher the nicotine dose, the higher the blood pressure and heart rate rises. This can cause heart rate abnormalities (arrhythmias). In rare cases, especially at high doses of nicotine, arrhythmias can cause heart failure and death.
After the initial effect disappears, the body starts craving nicotine. E-cigarette users can feel depressed, tired, irritable and crave more nicotine. Over time, the use of nicotine can cause serious medical problems, including heart disease, blood clots, and stomach wounds.
Prevent children and teenagers from using electric cigarettes
Because nicotine is very addictive, the best way to avoid it is not to try smoking or vaping. Children and adolescents often do not consider their health, so it is important to discuss with them.
If your teen smokes and wants to quit, e-cigarette is not the solution. Try to use nicotine or nicotine patch gum, which can suppress the urge to smoke.
Good if your child uses traditional cigarettes or e-cigarette, tips for stopping the habit are the same:
- Planning is important. Your child can set a date to start the process of quitting smoking. Then, light targets, such as reducing one cigarette per day, can be done.
- Make it busy. Distractions such as sports and activities that use hands (art, music, sewing, etc.) can help reduce the desire to smoke.
- Overcome the desire to smoke. If your child wants to smoke, encourage your child to "wait" compared to rejecting it. Chances are, the desire for smoking will disappear, which means a reduction in one cigarette.
- Search for support. Support from you and other family members is very important when your child wants to smoke. Joining a support group can also help.
If you smoke
Children quickly notice the contradictions between what parents say and do. If you smoke (or vaping), stop. It is not easy and additional effort and assistance is needed from the program or support group. But children can be excited to see when you successfully overcome your dependence.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
