A leading pulmonologist from the University of Indonesia warns that vaping is not a safe alternative to smoking, exposing users to severe risks including high addiction rates, cancer-causing chemicals, and acute lung injuries.
- High Addiction Rates: Nearly 80% of vape users develop nicotine addiction, frequently leading to dual use with traditional cigarettes.
- Hidden Carcinogens: Vape liquids contain cancer-causing substances, such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde.
- Respiratory Damage: Toxic components trigger severe inflammation, leading to clinical conditions like pneumonia, asthma, and EVALI.
Professor Agus Dwi Susanto, a prominent pulmonologist at the University of Indonesia, has issued a stark warning against the widespread misconception that electronic cigarettes are a safe alternative to combustible tobacco. His clinical observations highlight three substantial health risks associated with vaping, directly challenging its harmless public image.
The primary danger lies in severe nicotine dependence. Professor Susanto noted that approximately 79.5 percent of vape users experience addiction. This dependency frequently creates a gateway back to traditional tobacco, with 40 to 50 percent of vapers ultimately becoming dual users of both e-cigarettes and conventional cigarettes.
Secondly, despite lacking the tar found in combustible cigarettes, vape liquids are far from chemical-free. They contain known carcinogens, specifically formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. While long-term human data is still emerging due to the relatively recent rise of e-cigarettes, laboratory studies strongly indicate a potential cancer risk from inhaling these chemicals.
The third major risk involves toxic substances that trigger severe inflammation in both the respiratory tract and blood vessels. This exposure significantly increases the likelihood of acute respiratory infections, chronic lung disease, and long-term cardiovascular issues, including heart disease and stroke.
In his clinical practice at Persahabatan General Hospital, Professor Susanto frequently treats vape users suffering from serious, tangible lung disorders. The most common clinical diagnoses linked to vaping include:
- Pneumonia: Severe infections inflaming the air sacs in one or both lungs.
- Asthma: Exacerbated respiratory conditions causing breathing difficulty.
- Pneumothorax: A collapsed or punctured lung requiring immediate medical intervention.
He also emphasized the growing threat of EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury). This acute condition can cause severe shortness of breath, often requiring intensive care, further proving that the chemicals inhaled through vaping carry immediate and life-threatening consequences.