May 31st is World No Tobacco Day, and experts call on the public to have a correct understanding of the hazards of tobacco smoke, consciously abide by smoking control regulations in public places, and jointly build a smoke-free environment. Teenagers should also stay away from cigarettes and e-cigarettes, and establish a healthy lifestyle concept.
Ma Mingming, Director of the Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Department of the First People's Hospital of Xining City, Qinghai Province, introduced that in recent years, the smoking population has shown a trend towards youthfulness, and the new tobacco product e-cigarettes, which sell without tar, are very active in the market. "There are no harmless tobacco products, as long as smoking is harmful to health, teenagers should be aware of the dangers of smoking as soon as possible." Ma Mingming said that the harm of electronic cigarettes to the human body is similar to traditional cigarettes, and even more serious. The chemical composition of electronic cigarette smoke is complex, and there are many harmful substances in addition to nicotine. Teenagers' bodies are still in a developmental state, and smoking can affect bone development, nervous system, respiratory system, etc. It can also advance the onset age of coronary heart disease, hypertension, lung tumors, and other diseases.
Li Yuhong, Chief Physician of the Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Department at Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital, said that electronic cigarettes use a heated atomization system to atomize the electronic cigarette liquid into aerosols and inhale them into the body. These substances have a stimulating effect on the respiratory system, and long-term inhalation may cause respiratory diseases such as asthma and allergic pneumonia, increasing the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and other diseases. "Teenagers should refuse to use cigarettes and e-cigarette products. Although e-cigarette smoke has a unique aroma, the particles produced after atomization contain carcinogens such as ethylene glycol, which can also produce 'second-hand smoke' and be harmful to health," said Li Yuhong.
Meng Peng, the head of the Office of the Patriotic Health Movement Committee in Xining City, Qinghai Province, introduced that more than 1100 smoke-free units have been established and named in Xining City, achieving full coverage of smoke-free schools and medical institutions. "This year, we will also promote the construction of outdoor smoking areas and smoking points, continuously expand the coverage of smoke-free environments, and reduce the adverse effects of smoking in public areas," said Meng Peng.
