Electronic cigarette: its use is more and more common among young people

"No we have not found any evidence that electronic cigarettes prevent young people from smoking less" / shutterstock

Is signage forbidden? Possible alternative or difficult option, the truth is that for many, the electronic cigarette represents the "new mobile phone" and, although its sale is restricted in the country, a fashion that extends to the young and increases the risk for the health. Does artificial tobacco have a serious limit?

In recent days, at the end of the first international forum on electronic cigarettes in Buenos Aires, the main references of Latin American and European societies on this subject were gathered. , the big dilemma remains if the electronic cigarette is used to fight against tobacco consumption. With voices for and against, everyone agrees: the vapotage – as opposed to the conventional cigarette – is not healthy. In addition, one of the most troubling conclusions of the congress was that this device could be even more dangerous because, as has been said, it is becoming a technological bad for new generations who throw a critical look at conventional tobacco. [19659005] According to Daniel Buljubasich, president of the Argentine Association of Respiratory Medicine (AAMR), who attended the recent forum, young people under 24 are the main consumers of electronic cigarettes. "In Argentina, the sale of these cigarettes is banned," says Buljubasich, "but it is public information that is marketed anyway." In addition, we find ourselves in a country where the framework agreement does not exist. has not been ratified and we have not managed to make it a public health policy. "

In our country, 26.7% of the population aged 18 to 24 smokes" says Buljubasich [19659007] The electronic cigarette, also known as a vaporizer or vapeador, consists of a cigarette-shaped container or the like, an internal battery generating heat and a charge in liquid solution which, when heated, produces a vapor containing different substances to be inhaled (vapear) .The liquid solution is composed of nicotine, flavoring and other chemicals that, when they are heated, not only generate aerosol-based of nicotine, but also of other toxic chemicals and carcinogens for health.

CONTROL AND CONSUMPTION

The World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, in force since February 2005, is the first international public health treaty to establish set of measures to combat the tobacco epidemic. To date, 181 countries have ratified the Framework Convention, while Argentina is one of the few countries that have not yet signed the Convention in 2003.

"Youth tobacco use is alarming – Buljubasich Points In our country, 26.7% of the population aged 18-24 smokes. "

" We find no evidence that electronic cigarettes prevent young people from smoking less "

Lauren Dutra, principal author. from the study conducted by the University of California

"In Argentina, the sale of these cigarettes is prohibited, but it is marketed anyway

Daniel Buljubasich, president of the Association In this connection, Gustavo Zabert, President of the Latin American Thoracic Association (ALAT), emphasized that "what attracts young people the most is the aromas. Fruit trees and chocolate flavor are the most popular among consumers of electronic cigarettes. In principle, we seek to limit these aromas and advertising space, to reduce consumption. "

Asked about the belief that the new devices are less harmful than regular tobacco, the president of the ERS, Mina Gaga, figure:" When I am asked if it is true that it is less harmful as traditional cigarettes, a fact for which there is no reliable information, I answer as follows: according to a study conducted in the United States, only 36% of people who were shot with a 22 caliber weapon dies because of this injury can we then say that it is less harmful than other calibers? "

According to the WHO, it must be said that certain substances detected in the vapor of electronic cigarettes present toxic and carcinogenic risks, while the aerosols they emit" constitute a new source of pollution of air "

The WHO has not only warned of the dangers of this device. Recently, researchers at the University of California have published a book to ensure that electronic cigarettes, supposed to be an alternative to smoking, actually attract young people who would otherwise not have used tobacco products.

Researchers, in particular, have concluded that many young people who have started to use normal cigarettes may not have consumed nicotine if there were no electronic cigarettes.

"We have found no evidence that electronic cigarettes are young people smoke less, "said lead author Lauren Dutra. "The recent decline in the number of young smokers is likely due to tobacco control efforts and not to e-cigarettes."

The findings, published in the American journal Pediatrics, rely on growing evidence that teens who start using electronic cigarettes are more likely to consume traditional cigarettes later.