E-Cigarette with Herbal Liquid Still Dangerous, Says Doctor

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Society of Respirology Chairman, Dr. Agus Dwi Susanto, Sp.P (K), FISR, FAPSR, declared electric cigarettes that use herbal liquids present health risks due to the heating process or combustion of the device itself.

He asserts that the combustion process in which vapors the liquid could still create poisonous substances if inhaled, regardless of the type of liquid that is used. 

“One of the dangers of e-cigarettes is the vaporized liquid. The non-herbal ones contain nicotine, while the other has toxic that is created from the vaporizing process,” said Agus in Jakarta on Tuesday, November 26.

The substances he refers to are those that act as carcinogens such as propylene glycol, glycerol, formaldehyde nitrosamine, among other toxics such as silicates and nanoparticles. 

Agus reminds us that the constant daily-use of e-cigarettes will increase the chances of exposing lungs to dangerous substances. He then mentioned China’s Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease that is mostly suffered by women as they often cook with firewood and are exposed to the smoke produced by it. 

“Firewood is a natural material, herbal, but once it is lit the smoke it produces can be dangerous,” said the Indonesian Society of Respirology Chairman.

However, he asserts that the highest risk of contracting Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease remains in the consumption of traditional cigarette smoking. 

ANTARA