SORSOGON CITY, Sorsogon (PIA) -- The usage of e-cigarettes has significantly increased, and their users are getting younger over the years.

These devices have evolved into an overwhelming variety of vape pens, tank systems, "mods," and other similar products, which are being widely marketed and sold even to minors.

Eljan, a 17-year-old resident of Sorsogon City, began smoking when he was only nine years old. After six years of being a cigarette smoker, he decided to switch to e-cigarettes or vaping instead.

“The variety of flavors available hooked me into vaping. With options like mint, grapes, strawberry, bubble gum, and many more, I found it more appealing than traditional cigarettes. Additionally, vaping is more affordable than smoking traditional cigarettes,” he said.

Eljan shared that he spends a portion of his allowance on buying e-cigarettes.

"One vape juice that gives me 12,000 puffs costs me P290 and lasts for almost a month. Five sticks of traditional cigarettes in one day cost me P50.

The P50 per day multiplied by 30 days in a month amounts to P1,500, which is much higher than the cost of vaping," he said.

It was emphasized that tobacco smoking is a proven risk factor for many respiratory infections and can increase the severity of respiratory diseases.

Casiguran Municipal Health Officer Juan Carlos Caindec expressed concern over the increasing use of e-cigarettes, especially among young people.

“For many reasons, e-cigarettes should not be promoted as a safe alternative to smoking,” Caindec said during the Media Training and Fellowship Program conducted by Probe Media Foundation Inc.

He pointed out that e-cigarettes contain harmful substances such as diacetyl, which is connected to lung disease; acrolein, which can cause lung injury and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; and aldehydes, which are known to cause lung and heart disease.

Therefore, e-cigarettes should not be encouraged as a safe alternative to smoking for various reasons, Caindec said.

While warning labels have made 43.7 percent of current smokers consider quitting, many switch to other forms of tobacco or electronic nicotine delivery systems.

The rising popularity of e-cigarettes or vaping among youths is a serious public health concern.

“The battery-operated devices come in many forms and can look like conventional cigarettes, pens or even sleek tech gadgets. The aerosol-like vapor that users inhale and exhale poses health risks to both users and non-users,” said Caindec.

Kix Gacias, an advocate for Parents Against Vape, praised Sorsogon for being one of the first localities to adopt a no-smoking policy and ordinance.

However, “it needs to be strictly implemented to prevent children from accessing harmful products,” Gacias said.

Quitting vaping tips from the Department of Health are at this link: https://web.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=801881872003857&set=a.415199920672056. (BAR-PIA 5/Sorsogon)