Tribune News Network
Doha
Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Tobacco Control Centre (TCC) has issued a stern warning about the increasing popularity of novel tobacco products, particularly among young people.
Despite widespread awareness of the dangers of traditional cigarettes, many individuals are turning to alternative tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes, vape pens, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches, believing them to be less harmful.
Dr Ahmad Al Mulla, director of Hamad Medical Corporation’s Tobacco Control Centre — a World Health Organisation (WHO) collaborating centre for treating tobacco dependence — emphasises that all forms of tobacco are harmful and can lead to serious health consequences.
“More than 37 million young people worldwide smoke e-cigarettes,” said Dr Mulla. “According to published data, the prevalence of electronic cigarette use among tobacco users in Qatar is around 11 percent.”
Vaping, e-cigarette, heated tobacco or nicotine pouch use is often touted as a safer alternative to cigarette smoking, when research indicates both contain and emit a number of potentially toxic substances.
“Although social media may make these products look convenient and appealing, it’s important to know that they actually deliver varying amounts of the addictive chemical nicotine, which can negatively impact your health,” Dr Mulla said. The health risks include:
• Nicotine Addiction: These products deliver high doses of nicotine, a highly addictive substance that can impair brain development in adolescents and young adults.
• Harmful Chemicals: E-cigarettes and other vaping devices release harmful chemicals, including formaldehyde and heavy metals, which can damage the lungs and increase the risk of cancer.
• Respiratory Illnesses: Vaping has been linked to serious lung illnesses, such as EVALI (e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury).
• Heart Disease: Nicotine can increase heart rate and blood pressure, contributing to heart disease and stroke.
• Oral Health Issues: Smokeless tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco or nicotine pouches, can cause gum disease, tooth loss, and oral cancer.
Dr Mulla urged people to be cautious about the use of non-cigarette tobacco products and to seek support to quit smoking.The centre offers a variety of services to help people quit smoking, including counselling, medication, and behavioural modification support.
For more information or help with quitting tobacco, the public can contact:
• HMC’s Tobacco Control Centre on 4025 4981 or WhatsApp 5080 0959.
• HMC’s Nesma’ak Customer Care on 16060.
