Health experts alarmed as vaping trend rises among Pakistan youth

By Nasir Aijaz
AsiaN Correspondent

Islamabad: Vaping trend among the youngsters in Pakistan is on the rise, as according to health experts roughly 5 percent of the country’s teenagers have switched to e-cigarettes.

The retail sale of e-cigarettes is allowed in the country and there are no restrictions on their use.

In view of this menace, health experts have called for public awareness on the rising use of electronic cigarettes among teenagers and the negative health impact of tobacco on health. They also advocated effective e-cigarette control policies in the country.

Talking to a private news channel, lung specialist Prof Dr. Javed Khan stressed on the need for more rigorous anti-tobacco campaigns that focused on tobacco cigarettes and on the rising trend of e-cigarettes among youth to create awareness about the harmful effects of smoking.

Showing concern on the rising popularity of vaping, he said that there should be a ban on the sale of e-cigarettes.

Dr. Javed explained that many harmful chemicals, including nicotine, were being used in the composition of this harmful e-cigarette which was toxic to humans and could cause health issues.

E-cigarettes are known by many different names. They are sometimes called “e-cigs,” “e-hookahs,” “mods,” “vape pens,” “vapes,” “tank systems,” and “electronic nicotine delivery systems”.

”Chemicals in vaping fluid also can cause acute lung injuries and contribute to lung and cardiovascular disease down the line,” the specialist says.