Muscat – On a leisurely walk along the corniche or in the lanes of Ghubra and Shatti al Qurum, it has become increasingly common to see individuals, mostly the youth, blissfully vaping. Despite Oman’s stringent regulations against vaping, its allure has undeniably penetrated Omani society, prompting a serious debate over its health implications.

Expressing concern, Dr Jawad al Lawati, a senior consultant in public health focused on tobacco control, said, “There are no definitive studies delineating the health risks of vaping yet. However, its many pitfalls are apparent. Some vaping devices contain nicotine increasing risks of passive smoking and introducing children to the habit.”

Dr Lawati emphasised that while vaping is marketed as a ‘healthy’ alternative to conventional smoking, sufficient research on the subject is lacking. Alarmingly, with nearly 20,000 flavours available to vapers, children are often lured to these enticing aromas.

“There’s a misconception that vaping is a solution to curb smoking, but it’s the young ones who are inadvertently introduced to this dangerous habit.”

In 2015, Oman imposed a ban on vaping, with penalties reaching up to RO500 for selling. Despite this, smuggling from countries like the UAE and England remains a challenge.

Dr Laila Najeeb, pulmonologist at Badr al Samaa, Al Khoud is concerned about popularity of e-cigarettes, especially among young adults. She highlighted the fact that the majority of these devices contain nicotine – the same addictive substance found in traditional tobacco products. “When individuals become addicted, their bodies grow dependent on the substance. The absence of this substance can lead to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.”

According to Dr Laila, a current trend also suggests a heightened risk for vapers to gravitate towards other tobacco products.

Additionally, certain flavouring agents present in e-liquids have been known to cause respiratory irritation. Cases of Vaping Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) have also been documented, further fueling health apprehensions.

“While some individuals argue that e-cigarettes aided them in quitting traditional smoking, research in this area remains divided. Notably, a single vape pod may contain as much nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes, underscoring the risks associated with this alternative smoking method,” said Dr Laila.

Sharing his perspective, a banker who is an avid vaper, said, “While vaping seems a harmless alternative to some, I am acutely aware of the dangers. Many e-cigarette liquids contain harmful levels of nicotine.”

Highlighting the risks, in February 2020, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 2,807 cases of vaping-associated lung injuries and 68 resultant deaths.

The CDC identified vitamin E acetate, commonly used in tetrahydrocannabinol vaping products, as a potential culprit behind these injuries.