At the seminar, Dr. Vu Van Hoai, Institute of Mental Health, said that currently, the hospital has examined and treated many cases of mental disorders due to the use of electronic cigarettes. There was even a patient as young as 13 years old who was hospitalized for nicotine addiction syndrome.

Doctor Vu Van Hoai examines a patient hospitalized due to the harmful effects of electronic cigarettes.

Sharing with the press, Dr. Le Thi Thu Ha, Head of the Department of Substance Use and Behavioral Medicine (Institute of Mental Health) said that e-cigarettes mainly contain nicotine and a few other substances in the liquid-filled spacer (glycerin, propylene, conductors), and there are currently not many long-term follow-up studies. E-cigarettes cause direct harm to users due to inhalation of vapor. Notably, nicotine can cause mental dependence; glycerine can cause pneumonia... According to Dr. Le Thi Thu Ha, e-cigarettes have different conductors depending on the brand, which can contain formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, which are substances that can cause cancer, and may contain other substances that have not been inspected or regulated, so they are often added incorrectly to the liquid-filled spacer. That is the main cause of poisoning or abuse in combination with other drugs, cannabis essential oils...

Dr. Le Thi Thu Ha also informed that through talks about the harmful effects of tobacco at schools, the doctor learned that many children smoked e-cigarettes from the age of 13-14 to compete with friends. At this age, it is emphasized that the brain is not yet fully developed, it is difficult to control emotions, leading to brain damage that makes it difficult for smokers to refuse other addictive substances. Addiction to e-cigarettes is the entrance to other addictive substances. Therefore, parents need to pay closer attention to their children.

News and photos: HA VU

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