• Nigerian youths risk death, diseases by using e-cigarettes, others
By Ngozi Nwoke
In the bustling streets of Lagos, a new trend has emerged, captivating the attention of Nigeria’s youth.
Vaping, once considered a novelty, has become a lifestyle phenomenon, with many young people embracing it as a supposedly safer alternative to smoking.
But beneath the sleek designs and enticing flavours of the vapes, a sinister reality lurks, threatening to destroy the health of a generation.
Vaping is inhaling and exhaling aerosol produced by an e-cigarette or a similar device.
These devices, often called vapes or e-cigs, heat a liquid solution (e-liquid) that typically contains nicotine, flavourings, and other chemicals. When heated, the liquid turns into vapour, which the user inhales
Walking through the crowded markets of Lagos Island or the trendy and happening bars and clubs at Ikeja GRA, Bode Thomas, Surulere, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, and Lekki, one cannot help but notice the proliferation of vape shops and lounges.
These establishments, often adorned with colourful lights and enticing aromas, have become hubs for young people to gather, socialise, and indulge in the vaping culture.
For many, vaping is seen as a way to rebel against traditional smoking norms, with its sleek designs and variety of flavours making it an attractive option. But behind the façade of innovation lies a disturbing truth. Many of these young people are blissfully unaware of the dangers that vaping poses to their health.
“I thought vaping was safer than smoking,” said 23-year-old university student Cynthia, who was seen vaping. “I saw it as a way to quit smoking, but now I’m not so sure. My friends and I have been vaping for about two years now, and we think it’s cool.”
The encounter of 25-year-old vaper, Dorcas, who shared her story with Saturday Sun, serves as a stark warning. Dorcas began vaping three years ago, convinced that it was a safer alternative to smoking.
However, after experiencing persistent coughing and shortness of breath, she was diagnosed with a severe respiratory condition.
“I never thought vaping could harm me like this,” Dorcas said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I wish I had known the risks before it was too late.”
Cynthia and Dorcas’s sentiments are echoed by many of their peers, who have been misled by the notion that vaping is a harmless activity.
The misconception that vaping is safer than smoking can be attributed in part to the claims of some health experts.
Mrs. Nneoma Orji, a Lagos-based pulmonologist, said: “Some studies suggest that vaping is less harmful than smoking. However, this does not mean that vaping is safe. The long-term effects of vaping are still unknown, and we are already seeing cases of respiratory problems and other health issues linked to vaping.
“We need stricter regulations to control the vaping industry. The government must take action to protect our youth from the dangers of vaping.”
Despite these warnings, the vaping industry continues to thrive, with new products and flavours emerging daily.
The lack of regulation and oversight has created a Wild West scenario, where manufacturers are free to peddle their wares with little regard for public health.
In Nigeria, the regulatory framework surrounding vaping is woefully inadequate. The National Tobacco Control Act of 2015, while banning the sale of tobacco products to minors, does not specifically address vaping.
This loophole has allowed vape manufacturers to operate with impunity, targeting ignorant young people with aggressive marketing campaigns, using paid public health experts to promote the notion that vapes are safer alternatives to cigarettes.
As the vaping epidemic sweeps across Nigeria, it is imperative that the long-term consequences of this trend are not handled with kid’s gloves. The health implications of vaping are far-reaching, with many experts warning of a potential ticking time bomb.
Another Lagos-based pulmonologist and chief medical officer at Aura Clinical Centre, Lekki, Femi Binutu warned that vaping products, such as e-cigarettes, contain a mixture of chemicals, including nicotine, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds, noting that these substances can still cause significant harm to the lungs and overall health.
He said: “Vaping can lead to respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, and even cancer. We are already seeing cases of vaping-related illnesses, and it’s only a matter of time before we see more severe consequences.”
“Vaping is not as safe as perceived, containing harmful chemicals that can cause respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and nicotine addiction. While it may be less harmful than smoking traditional cigarettes, it’s still risky.
“The best course of action is to quit vaping and smoking altogether, consult a healthcare professional for a personalised quit plan, and consider prescription medications or counselling to overcome addiction.”
Similarly, Joseph O. Ike, Director General of Kaduna State Bureau for Substance Abuse Prevention & Treatment (KADBUSA), stressed that the dangers of vaping cannot be overemphasised. He stated that while some people see it as a safer alternative to traditional smoking, the truth is that it poses significant health risks.
He said: “Vaping carries a range of concerns, including respiratory problems, cardiovascular issues, addiction, and neurological effects.”
He warned that respiratory issues can lead to conditions like ‘popcorn lung’ and severe lung illness, while nicotine in vape products can increase heart rate and blood pressure, potentially leading to cardiovascular problems.
“The high concentration of nicotine also makes vaping highly addictive,” Ike said, adding that neurological effects include potential harm to brain development in youth and reports of seizures.
Ike advised smokers looking to quit to opt for approved methods rather than vaping, which may be a less harmful option but still poses significant health concerns.
“The lack of comprehensive regulation and standardised testing of vape products adds to uncertainty about their full health impact,” he noted.
According to another Lagos-based medical doctor, David Odunsi, the efficacy of vaping as a tool to help individuals quit smoking remains a contentious issue in the medical community. While some advocate its use, others argue that it poses significant health risks.
He said: “Vaping is not a recommended tool for smoking cessation. It may be addictive and habit-forming, just like smoking cigarettes. Any product seeking approval for smoking cessation must undergo rigorous research and produce conclusive results. Unfortunately, research on vaping has yielded mixed and controversial findings.
“Both cigarettes and vapes contain nicotine, which increases the risk of developing cancers, cardiovascular diseases, infertility, and reduced immunity,” Odunsi warned. He stressed that the ultimate goal for smokers should be to quit entirely.
“Quitting smoking is not easy, and withdrawal symptoms can be challenging. Nicotine alternatives can help, but the aim is to gradually reduce dependence and eventually quit,” he stated.
Odunsi concluded that while vaping might be less harmful than smoking, its long-term effects are still unknown, and caution should be exercised. The medical doctor advised smokers to explore proven methods to quit smoking, including nicotine patches, sprays, and gum, under medical supervision.
At a Tobacco Harm Reduction Conference held in Nairobi, Kenya, a renowned oncologist, who is also a Professor of Surgery at the Cancer Institute in Senegal, Abdoul Kassé, stressed the need for putting harm reduction at the centre of all public health development strategies, adding that harm reduction is a powerful public health tool that has the potential to reduce cancer by 30.
The health expert further stated that enlightenment campaigns should be enforced as a preventive measure to control smoking generally.
He disclosed: “When we talk about smoking, we mean the abuse or misuse of the substance, which has increasingly become a public health issue in many states of Nigeria. Awareness creation and education apply to areas where there is a need to reduce the harm associated with a practice or consumption of a substance that is overused in society, leading to increased morbidity and mortality.”
Contrary to other health experts, Kassé expressed the fact that cessation or outright quitting has continued to prove impossible for most smokers while stating that there is evidence to prove that the use of potentially less harmful alternatives than cigarettes such as vapes for those who are not willing or cannot give up smoking with currently approved methods may be a solution, not necessarily the best for everyone but by far better than continuous smoking cigarettes.
Corroborating Kassé’s belief that vaping is safer than smoking cigarettes, Theodore Abba, also an oncologist, narrated that vaping products, such as e-cigarettes, contain fewer toxic chemicals than traditional cigarettes.
He said: “By acknowledging that quitting smoking can be challenging for many, we can explore alternative solutions like vaping, which may help reduce the risks associated with smoking. This approach can be particularly beneficial for smokers who are unable or unwilling to quit altogether.
“By promoting awareness and education about the relative risks of vaping versus smoking, we can empower vapers to make informed decisions about their health.”
Overall, the perspective of Kassé and Abba, although contrary to the opinions of other health experts, highlights the importance of considering the nuances of reducing health risks associated with vaping and exploring evidence-based solutions.
According to Public Health England, e-cigarettes are estimated to be around 95 per cent less harmful than smoking. This significant reduction in harm can be attributed to the fact that vaping products don’t involve combustion, which is a major contributor to the harmful effects of smoking.
As Nigeria’s youth continue to fall prey to the allure of vaping with fewer precautionary actions taken, the health experts advocate that government, stakeholders, hospitals, and parents must work together to educate young people about the dangers of vaping and to regulate the industry.
The experts stressed that the time for complacency is over, and the vaping epidemic must be addressed head-on before it’s too late. They noted that the youth must also be ready to help themselves by quitting the toxic substance.