Vaping not a safer alternative to cigarette smoking, says health advocate

(REUTERS FILE PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines — Vaping is not less harmful to health than cigarettes, an advocate for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases stressed on Tuesday.

According to Action on Smoking and Health Philippines executive director Dr. Maricar Limpin, vaping is not a healthier alternative to cigarettes, contrary to how it is advertised.

“The chemicals inhaled in vaping is the same [as in smoking cigarettes], therefore it is not harmless,” Limpin explained, speaking partly in Filipino, in a press conference at the Department of Health central office in Manila.

“It’s not really safer. It’s almost the same, if not even deadlier than tobacco,” she added.

Limpin also attributed the increase in the number of vape users among teenagers to how it is marketed.

According to her, marketers of vape products use the so-called “harm reduction” strategy, where the said products are advertised as less harmful than other nicotine products.

“I hope we don’t just believe what they’re saying that it is ‘less harmful’ because that was also the tactic in the old days when they introduced lighted [cigarettes]. I think we should be smarter,” Limpin said.

Limpin said, however, that it would be harder to quit vaping than smoking cigarettes.

She encouraged those who would want to stop vaping to visit smoking cessation clinics for proper assistance.

“Quitting vape [use] is actually a bit more difficult than quitting cigarette smoking. Think of vaping as also an addiction. Go to smoking cessation clinics and ask for help,” she said.

“Let’s not try to stop on our own. The chance of failure is high,” she added.