The Growing Health Risks of Vaping in Nepal

Kathmandu: Recently, it has been observed that a large portion of the youth in Nepal is increasingly using vapes, or e-cigarettes. Many use vaping as an alternative to traditional cigarettes, while others adopt it as a hobby or a fashion statement. However, it appears that most are unaware that vaping can be just as harmful as smoking cigarettes.

According to cancer specialist Dr. Samim Akhtar, vaping affects our health just as much as traditional smoking does. In a conversation with Nepal News Bank, he stated that vaping carries a high risk of causing cancer of the lungs, respiratory tract, and mouth.

"The idea we often hear—that it isn't harmful or that it's less harmful than cigarettes—is completely wrong," Dr. Akhtar said. "Vaping carries a strong possibility of causing cancer in your lungs, airways, and mouth."

He further added, "The substances used inside vapes contain chemicals and heavy metals. Chemicals like formaldehyde and acetyl are used for flavoring. Other non-edible substances are also synthesized in laboratories to create the vape solution."

Additionally, he informed that inhaling vape vapor risks damaging the respiratory tract, mouth, gums, tongue, lungs, and the deep tissues within the lungs. According to him, vaping can even cause changes at the DNA level.

"When you inhale vape vapor, it damages your airway, mouth, gums, tongue, and the muscles within the lungs," Dr. Akhtar explained. "It can even bring about changes in the smallest unit of life, the DNA. Consequently, people who vape may develop 'popcorn lung' lesions. If a chest X-ray is taken, white spots can be seen across both lungs."

What is a Vape?

A vape is an electronic device used to satisfy the craving for smoking. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are two main types of electronic cigarettes in use: Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) and Electronic Non-Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENNDS). 

Since a vape is an electronic cigarette, it is battery-operated. People use it to heat a liquid into a breathable vapor.