ONCE believed to be a safer alternative to smoking, vaping has emerged as a serious health risk, especially for adolescents and individuals with asthma, says a medical practitioner.
Despite the absence of tobacco combustion and lower levels of toxic chemicals, e-cigarettes still deliver harmful substances such as nicotine, propylene glycol and flavouring agents that can damage the lungs.
According to the Adolescent Health Survey 2022 by the Health Ministry, tobacco use among Malaysian adolescents declined slightly from 20.9% in 2017 to 18.5% in 2022.
However, adolescent vaping rose sharply during the same period from 9.8% to 14.9% – raising concerns that the trend may continue due to increasing social acceptance.
Experts are urging the public to pay greater attention to the respiratory dangers of vaping, especially among adolescents and those with pre-existing conditions such as asthma.
Exposure to e-cigarette aerosols can trigger asthma attacks, reduce medication effectiveness, impair lung function and slow lung development. — 123rf
Sunway Medical Centre pediatrician and paediatric respiratory specialist consultant Dr Noor Zehan Abdul Rahim cautioned that e-cigarette users face potential complications, including symptoms of e-cigarette or lung injury (Evali) associated with vaping.
She shared the case of a teenager who suffered respiratory failure just weeks after taking up vaping.
The boy developed severe breathing difficulty, coughed up blood and required intensive care.
A CT scan revealed acute lung injury caused by chemical inflammation.
“This teen had no prior lung issues. It was the vaping exposure that triggered this rapid decline.
“This case is a stark reminder that adolescent lungs are still developing and are extremely sensitive to chemical injury.
“What may begin as casual experimentation can quickly become life-threatening,” she told Bernama.
Asked about the most harmful substances in e-cigarette vapour, Dr Noor Zehan cited nicotine, along with chemicals such as propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin.
She said these, when heated, could produce toxic by-products like formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, both of which inflame the airways.
She also highlighted the dangers of certain flavouring agents such as diacetyl, acetoin and 2,3-pentanedione – all linked to “popcorn lung,” a serious and irreversible lung condition.
“Children and adolescents with asthma are especially vulnerable.
“Exposure to e-cigarette aerosols can trigger asthma attacks, reduce medication effectiveness, impair lung function, and slow lung development,” she said.
Dr Noor Zehan warned that regular vaping among teenagers could increase the risk of chronic bronchitis, early-onset chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and persistent asthma, even after quitting.
“Children exposed to vaping are also reporting symptoms such as persistent coughing, wheezing and breathlessness.
“This second-hand exposure can lead to bronchitis, pneumonia and other respiratory infections,” Dr Noor Zehan added.
