Vaping Posed Threats, Particularly to Child Asthma Sufferers

Vaping poses a serious threat to the health of young people, especially those with asthma. Despite being marketed as a healthier alternative to cigarettes, vaping and e-cigarettes still contain harmful chemicals that can lead to dangerous health issues, such as lung disease, heart disease, and cancer. These devices have become popular among middle and high schoolers, with some products coming in flavors that appeal to young people. It's crucial for parents and healthcare professionals to educate kids about these risks and provide support for those struggling with nicotine addiction.

Associate Professor, Dr. Lisa E. de Ybarrondo, a board-certified pediatrician, often discusses the dangers of tobacco use in her practice at McGovern Medical School. With extensive experience in asthma education and management, she has served as an Asthma Faculty Champion for NEEF since 2007, working to provide pediatric asthma training resources for healthcare professionals.

While vaping is still the most common form of tobacco use among US youth, there's a decline in reported usage since 2019. Approximately 1.63 million young people reported using e-cigarettes, with about 410,000 being middle school students and 1.21 million high school students. Females tend to be more likely to vape. Yet, it's vital to note that there are no safe tobacco products for young people, and smoking can significantly contribute to the risk of respiratory illnesses and adult-onset asthma.

Kids who spend time around those who vape are also at risk due to secondhand and thirdhand smoke. Secondhand smoke is any tobacco smoke inhaled by those near a smoker, and it can be worse than smoking due to the higher levels of toxic chemicals. Thirdhand smoke is an environmental asthma trigger and can be found in rooms and on objects with the lingering smell of smoke or yellowish stains. It poses a higher risk for young children who often spend more time indoors and have increased contact with contaminated surfaces.

The best way to protect kids and youth from the dangers of vaping is through open communication, monitoring, and providing accurate information about the risks involved. Parents should encourage open discussions about the negative effects of vaping and its impact on asthma and lung health. They should also be aware of signs such as unusual odors or changes in behavior. Healthcare providers, in turn, can regularly screen adolescents for e-cigarette use, offer counseling on the risks, and consider nicotine replacement therapy or non-nicotine prescription medications for those trying to quit.

Moreover, it's essential to support public awareness campaigns that highlight the risks of vaping, advocating for stronger regulations on the sale and marketing of e-cigarettes to minors, and implementing comprehensive vaping prevention programs in schools. By working together, parents, healthcare professionals, and community leaders can help protect young people from the harmful effects of vaping.

The association between environment and health is significant, especially with regard to pediatric asthma and chronic diseases like vaping-related respiratory conditions.
Dr. Lisa E. de Ybarrondo, a pediatrician, emphasizes the importance of health and wellness, particularly in addressing medical-conditions such as asthma and the risks posed by tobacco use.
Fitness and exercise, along with mental health, are crucial aspects of a balanced lifestyle, but they become secondary when young people are faced with the challenges of nicotine addiction and the harmful effects of vaping.
Science has made us aware of the dangers of secondhand and thirdhand smoke, which are environmental triggers for asthma and pose a higher risk for young children, contributing to the development of respiratory-conditions and adult-onset asthma.
For effective prevention, it's essential to promote health-and-wellness education programs, support public campaigns emphasizing the risks of vaping, and implement stricter regulations on vaping sales and marketing towards minors, thus collaboratively ensuring the well-being of youth.