Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are becoming increasingly popular among smokers in Malaysia especially the youth. According to the latest survey conducted among adult smokers across Asia by factasia.org, the number of e-cigarettes users in Malaysia is expected at between 250,000 and one million. The survey found that 83% smokers see e-cigarettes as a “positive alternative” to tobacco products and 87% smokers would consider switching to e-cigarettes if they were legal, safe and conveniently available.
The usage of e-cigarettes are still controversial as of now, as many of us are not sure about the good and bad of the e-cigarettes. There are not much reliable scientific research has been done to the long term effects of its usage, since the e-cigarettes was only widely introduced to the market less than 10 years ago.
However, we have compiled below some good and bad points of using e-cigarettes for your own judgement:
The Good Points
1. E-cigarettes are healthier and safer as it’s tobacco-free content is less harmful than the traditional tobacco;
2. E-cigarettes may help smokers to quit smoking;
3. E-cigarettes reduce air pollution as it is smoke-free and smells better compared to the traditional tobacco;
4. E-cigarettes are allowed in many places where smoking isn’t allowed;
5. E-cigarettes do not damage your teeth, so you won’t have yellow teeth anymore.
The Bad Points
1. Questionable ingredients as no stringent regulation in the e-cigarette production;
2. Nicotine is addictive and could become a gateway drug for youth;
3. Certain e-cigarettes could produce carcinogens, acrolein and acetone, which are known to irritate nasal, lung and/or mucous tissues;
4. E-cigarettes alter cells where a cancer study published in March 2014 revealed that human bronchial cells exposed to e-cigarette vapor;
5. The flavored vaporized smoke in e-cigarettes may cause poisoning when inhaled too much.
