Doctor warns about vaping dangers, especially for youth

Dr. Natasha Johnson has a couple of stark messages about vaping there is no evidence it helps adults stop smoking and it is harmful to children.

Dr. Johnson, ofMcMaster Children's Hospital, was in Charlottetown this week for a presentation on the dangers of vaping at the Canadian Paediatric Societyannual conference. Directly inhalingsmoke from e-cigarettes can be harmful, but so too can second-hand smoke, she said.

Harmful toxins

"The second-hand smoke from vaping can contain toxins that can be harmful to children and youth," Johnson said Fridayon CBC News: Compass.

"[The toxins] certainly can irritate any breathing trouble that exists. And, certainly, there may be exposure to heavy metals and other chemicals the long-term effects of which are not known."

Johnson saidthat even though there is a perception that vaping and e-cigarettes are safer than regular cigarettes, both release toxins, albeit different kinds.

Can lead to tobacco use

As well, she saidthere is no evidence that vaping and e-cigarettes help people quit or reduce smoking regular cigarettes.In fact, with youth, she said e-cigarettes could actually lead to using tobacco products.

"In pediatrics, there is a worrisome trend where a number of young people who use e-cigarettes have not even used tobacco products. So, they're 'tobacco naive' adolescents who are experimenting with e-cigarettes," she said.

"And, that potentially opens a window for them to become addicted to nicotine."

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