Many millennial Malaysians will no doubt be familiar with the new vaping phenomenon that has taken the youth community by storm. Everywhere you look, confirm you can find a group of young teens or adults tengah lepak and vape, leaving puffs of scented clouds wherever they go. Most millennials will reason and claim that vaping is ‘healthy’, which is true, when compared with cigarettes. But the long term effects of vaping on the lungs remain relatively unknown.
Source: Fox News
Until now, that is! In a recent article published by The New York Times, hundreds of young Americans, mostly in their 20s, have been struck by a sudden and severe lung illness that can be traced back to consistent use of vapes. In fact, five deaths have been reported due to the illness in a report by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Lung scans of patients with the illness show what appear to be bacterial or viral pneumonia, despite the patients having no prior infections!
Source: CNBC
Most of these cases have been linked with the constant use of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-laced e-cigarette products, which is the psychoactive component most commonly found in marijuana. However, a case study published by The New England Journal of Medicine has stated that out of the 53 patients they have spoken to, 17 of them do not use any e-cigarette products that contain THC. Which means that whether the products contain THC or not, you are still likely to be at risk of this respiratory illness by simply smoking a vape! Yikes!
Source: Leafly
So how do you know if you have the disease? According to the same report by the CDC, symptoms of the illness include coughing, shortness of breath, chest pains, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, fever and sudden weight loss. If any of these symptoms persist, visit a doctor immediately for treatment!
For the moment, it’s probably best to avoid from buying or using any e-cigarette products, especially ones sold through backdoor sources, as the ingredients used in these products are unknown and unregulated! Stay safe everyone!
Also read: Adults Caught Supplying Vape to Primary School Kids In Selangor, Teachers Warn
