- Vaping is growing, more so in urban areas like Nairobi, Mombasa,Kisumu and Nakuru.
- Lack of regulations has led to a surge in trade, especially online.
Image: HANDOUT
When flipping through popular social media platforms such as Tiktok and Instagram, it is easy to notice ladies and gentlemen with small pen-like devices that produce lots of smoke in their photos, videos, or boomerangs.
Following the water-pipe tobacco ban by the government through the Ministry of Health at the end of 2017, Kenyans have now jumped into the new ‘trend' of vaping.
Dr Joram Mwangi says e-cigarette is highly addictive.
"Nicotine can be very addictive, as the more you vape, the more your brain and body get used to having nicotine, and the harder it is to go without it," he told the Star on the phone.
"There is little research to link vaping to lung cancer and the long-term effects of vaping are still being studied; however, vaping in Kenya is growing, more so in urban areas like Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and Nakuru.
"Acute lung infections, shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing and chest pains are some of the common symptoms heavy vapers may experience," he said.
In vaping, a battery-powered device called an e-cigarette, e-cig, e-cigar, or vape pen that resembles a traditional cigarette is used, with some looking like pens, pipes, or long USBs often with a mouthpiece at the tip, a heating element, electronic circuits, and rechargeable batteries—all in one device.
Weighing 30-80 grammes, its portability makes it easy to have in purses, key holders and pockets.
As the user sucks from the mouthpiece, a sensor activates a heating element that vaporises a flavoured liquid solution called e-juice that fills the cartridges in the e-cigarette. Holding it at the mouthpiece inhales the smoke to the lungs, which, in turn, causes a light-headed sensation.
The e- juice Usually contains nicotine (addictive drug in tobacco), propylene glycol and flavouring.
The e-juices costing from Sh2,500–15,000 come in 15,000 different flavours just like the shisha, from icy mango, apple, strawberry, grape, melon; while the vapes cost from Sh2,000–20,000, depending on the amount of vaping juice the cylinders can carry; extra-strength cartridges, which have a higher concentration of nicotine; increased e-cigarette’s voltage, which gives a greater hit of the substance.
Marijuana (THC or CBD), hash oil, and water can be added depending on the user’s preference. When the person then inhales the aerosol, it is commonly known as vaping.
It aims to provide a similar sensation to inhaling tobacco smoke, without the pervasive traditional smoke.
Dangers of e-cig
The sale of e-cigarette in the country is not regulated. This has led to a surge in trade, especially online. Given the lack of a law, sellers have been advertising their business freely and easily enticing young people, especially online. Other traders have gone ahead and set up physical shops as the business booms.
A single e-cigarette is equivalent in quantity to five packets of tobacco cigarettes, according to the World Health Organization.
The pens are particularly risky when used by children and adolescents.
Nicotine is highly addictive and young people whose brains develop up to their mid-20s become prone to normal development.
This early exposure to nicotine can have long-lasting, damaging effects on brain development, making users develop nicotine addiction, increased risk of heart disease and lung disorders.
CDC officials haven't yet determined the specific causes of lung disorders, but it is thought that oils and chemicals used to emulsify THC, CBD and nicotine in illicit vapes are to blame.
The UN health agency estimates the number of current smokers globally at one billion, adding to the eight million people who die prematurely from tobacco-related illnesses every year.
In the recent 2021 July WHO report on the progress in the fight against the tobacco epidemic, concerns were raised on the children who use e-cigarettes.
The organisation recommended governments implement regulations to stop non-smokers from starting to use them, prevent renormalisation of smoking in the community, and protect future generations.
“Nicotine is highly addictive. Electronic nicotine delivery systems are harmful, and must be better regulated,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
“Where they are not banned, governments should adopt appropriate policies to protect their populations from the harms of electronic nicotine delivery systems, and prevent their uptake by children, adolescents and other vulnerable groups.”
A report by Harvard Health in 2019 recommends avoiding all forms of vaping.