WHO researcher Dr Ranti Fayokun admits that e-cigarette products are less dangerous than conventional cigarettes. This is also supported by research results from Public Health England which is part of the Department of Health and Social Care United Kingdom.Chief Executive of Public Health England, Duncan Selbie stated that e-cigarettes are 95% safer for health than regular cigarettes, and have the potential to help smokers to quit.
Vaping is not 100% safe, but most of the substances that cause smoking-related illnesses are not found in e-cigarettes, and the chemicals present pose only limited harm, Duncan said. Responding to this, General Chair of the Indonesian Electronic Nicotine Delivery Entrepreneurs Alliance (APPNINDO) Syaiful Hayat said APPNINDO welcomed the results of electronic cigarette research and was ready to open discussions with related parties.
In fact, e-cigarettes are safer than conventional cigarettes because the health risks they pose are much lower. This makes e-cigarettes an alternative to conventional cigarettes. "We are open to discussions so that regulations regarding e-cigarettes in Indonesia can have a positive impact on productivity and public health," said Syaiful.
The statement by Dr Fayokun, who is also a researcher from the National Capacity for Tobacco Control and Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, is considered to have an impact on vape and e-cigarette users in Indonesia. Meanwhile in Indonesia, as of December 2019, vape users in Indonesia reached one million people. This data was obtained from the Indonesian Personal Vaporizer Association (APVI). Vape users in Indonesia come from various professional circles, including doctors and scientists.
Based on various studies, this alternative product has a lower risk profile than conventional cigarettes which can cause various health problems, such as cancer, heart attacks, diabetes and others.
In my opinion, electronic cigarettes (vapes) are often considered safer than regular cigarettes by some people, especially because of the claim that vapes contain fewer harmful substances. However, although there are several factors that make e-cigarettes appear “safer” in certain contexts, these opinions need to be looked at more critically.
1.Different Composition
Electronic cigarettes work by evaporating liquid (e-liquid) which usually contains nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerin and various flavorings. Compared to regular cigarettes which produce smoke from burning tobacco which contains thousands of harmful chemicals, e-cigarettes produce vapor which contains fewer harmful substances. This could be said to be an advantage, because burning tobacco produces carcinogenic substances such as tar and carbon monoxide which are very dangerous for health. However, the e-liquid used in e-cigarettes can also contain risky chemicals, such as diacetyl which has been linked to lung disease, as well as potential irritation of the respiratory tract. So, despite the reduction in harmful chemicals, vaping is not a completely risk-free alternative.
2. Nicotine Risks
Just like regular cigarettes, e-cigarettes generally contain nicotine, an addictive substance that can damage the health of the heart, blood vessels and nervous system. Nicotine can also increase the risk of cognitive impairment in adolescents and cause addiction. Therefore, although e-cigarettes reduce exposure to many harmful chemicals, nicotine consumption still carries significant health risks.
3.Lack of Long Term Data
One reason many people are skeptical of claims that e-cigarettes are safer is the lack of long-term data. E-cigarettes are relatively new compared to tobacco cigarettes, and research on their impact on long-term health is limited. Although some studies show that vaping causes less lung damage and cardiovascular disease than regular cigarettes, there is no strong evidence to ensure that e-cigarettes will not cause serious health problems in the coming decades.
4.Usage Problems Among Teenagers
Vapes are often promoted as having attractive flavors, such as fruit or candy, which makes them more appealing to teens. E-cigarette use among teenagers has increased rapidly, and there are concerns that this could be a gateway to conventional smoking later in life. This is a problem, considering that nicotine at a young age can disrupt brain development and cause more severe addiction later in life.
5. Regulations and Product Safety
Not all e-cigarette products are manufactured to the same standards. In some countries, regulations regarding the quality and safety of vape products are still not strict enough. This risks causing vape products containing dangerous or low-quality ingredients to circulate on the market. Some cases have even reported poisoning or lung injuries related to vape use, indicating that these products can also be dangerous if not properly monitored.
Conclusion: Electronic cigarettes may be considered a safer option than regular cigarettes in several aspects, especially in terms of reducing exposure to harmful substances from burning tobacco. However, that doesn't mean vaping is free from health risks. The nicotine contained in e-cigarettes remains dangerous, and the lack of long-term data on its effects means we should be careful in concluding that e-cigarettes are a "safe" choice.
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