The use of electronic cigarettes is increasingly concerning in Australia, as not only adults but also the number of children using e-cigarettes is on the rise.
One of the reasons for this situation is the misleading information suggesting that e-cigarettes are not harmful like traditional cigarettes. However, international experts attending a conference in Australia have refuted this claim.
Approximately 2 million people in Australia use e-cigarettes. (Photo: AP).
Speaking at the World Dental Congress held in Sydney, Australia, Professor Purnima Kumar, a researcher in oral bacteria from the University of Michigan, USA, stated that using e-cigarettes increases health threats and is more dangerous than smoking traditional cigarettes.
According to Professor Kumar, e-cigarettes alter the cells in the oral cavity, and this change occurs at the molecular level. This alteration in cells poses many risks as it prevents the immune system from recognizing harmful bacteria from beneficial ones. Consequently, when harmful bacteria invade the mouth, the immune system does not signal to produce compounds to attack these harmful bacteria. Therefore, the body becomes more susceptible to infections. Studies have shown that for individuals using e-cigarettes, mouth wounds take longer to heal compared to those who do not use e-cigarettes.
Particularly for pregnant women, using e-cigarettes can result in the mother having more harmful bacteria, which can be transmitted to the child, making the child more susceptible to illness due to a reduced ability to eliminate harmful bacteria.
Another study by Professor Brian Oliver at the Woolcock Institute indicates that using e-cigarettes during pregnancy damages the lungs, kidneys, and liver, while also altering the microbiome.
E-cigarettes entered Australia in 2003 and have become increasingly popular in the country. The alarming issue is that the rate of children using e-cigarettes in Australia is rising rapidly, causing concern among parents and authorities. Australia has banned the sale of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes to individuals without a doctor’s prescription; however, e-cigarettes are still widely available and sold to children. Therefore, alongside cracking down on illegal e-cigarette sales, Australia is intensifying education and promoting information so that everyone understands the unpredictable harms of e-cigarettes.
