WHO calls for global ban on flavored e-cigarettes, know how vaping can damage your health

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday urged governments from all over the world to consider e-cigarettes as harmful as tobacco and to ban all flavours.

Some governments and researchers consider e-cigarettes or vapes as significant alternatives to nicotine cigarettes and a key tool in bringing down the number of deaths and diseases caused by smoking.

However, there is no sufficient evidence to back the fact that vapes helped smokers quit and the UN agency released a statement saying that "urgent measures" were needed to curb them.

It further stated that vapes were harmful to health and that they could aggravate nicotine addiction among non-smokers, especially children and young people.

“Kids are being recruited and trapped at an early age to use e-cigarettes and may get hooked to nicotine,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in the release. “I urge countries to implement strict measures to prevent uptake to protect their citizens, especially their children and young people.”

How vaping can harm your body

Nicotine Addiction: Many e-cigarettes contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance. Nicotine addiction can lead to dependency and increased health risks.

Respiratory Issues: Inhaling the aerosol (commonly called vapor) from e-cigarettes can irritate the lungs and lead to respiratory problems. This includes coughing, wheezing, and an increased risk of bronchitis.

Cardiovascular Effects: Nicotine in e-cigarettes can elevate heart rate and blood pressure, increasing the risk of cardiovascular issues and heart-related problems.

Lung Damage: Some cases of severe lung injury, known as vaping-associated lung injury (VALI), have been reported. The long-term effects of vaping on lung health are still being studied.

Chemical Exposure: E-cigarette liquids often contain harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, acrolein, and acetaldehyde, which can be released during vaping and may contribute to health issues.

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