Dear colleagues and students,E-cigarettes are devices that do not burn or use tobacco but instead vaporize a solution which is then inhaled by the user. The design of e-cigarettes is generally similar to traditional cigarettes. Some are produced in the form of pens, USB memory sticks, etc. and in different flavors like fruits, soft drinks, chocolate, etc. which pander to the curiosity of teenagers. There is no ingredient list for most of the e-cigarettes. In general, harmful chemical substances of e-cigarettes include:
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): carcinogen;
- Poly-brominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs): flame retardant used in electric products, which can affect thyroid secretion, reproductive system and fetal development;
- Formaldehyde: carcinogens, result in respiratory symptoms, and eye, nose, and throat irritation;
- Glycerin: cause cancer when heated to high temperature;
- Heavy metal (e.g. tin, nickel, copper, lead): metal nanoparticles enter deep into our sacs of lung;
- Trace of nicotine: highly addictive.
The sale of e-cigarettes was banned since 1st January last year in Macao. It is illegal to smoke e-cigarettes in specific non-smoking zones. Both e-cigarettes and traditional tobacco contain harmful substances to our health. E-cigarette is not recognized as a safe smoking cessation method. Chance of smoking tobacco in adulthood increases when teenagers use e-cigarettes at a younger age. There are batteries in most of the e-cigarettes with potential explosion risk. As there are many adverse health effects, please do not try e-cigarettes. Sources:
Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health http://www.smokefree.hk/en/content/web.do?page=ecigarette
Health Bureau of Government of Macao S.A.R. (Chinese and Portuguese only) https://www.ssm.gov.mo/portal/
If you would like to read more health tips, please visit the website of Office of Health, Safety and Environmental Affairs https://hseo.um.edu.mo/health-tips/
Office of Health, Safety and Environmental Affairs |