A 22-YEAR-OLD male with no known health risks apart from daily vaping succumbed to a heart attack. This is the first vape-related death in the Philippines, according to the Department of Health (DOH), warning the public about the severe and potentially fatal consequences associated with electronic cigarettes.
Dr. Margarita Isabel Fernandez and her colleagues at the Philippine General Hospital shed light on this unfortunate death through their research published in the Respirology Case Reports journal. The young man experienced a sudden onset of severe chest pain, breathing difficulties, and other distressing symptoms following a sports activity, which led to his untimely death. The study detailed how vaping contributed to the blockage of two arteries in his heart and consolidation in his lungs, culminating in a fatal heart attack.
This case is a wake-up call for all, especially the youth, who are increasingly turning to vaping as a supposedly safer alternative to traditional smoking. The Global Youth Tobacco Survey reveals a worrying trend: 14% of students aged 13-15 years old are using e-cigarettes daily because of the easy accessibility of these products, with 77.1% of young users purchasing them from various local vendors.
Vaping is not a harmless habit. It poses significant health risks, including severe heart and lung damage. Assistant Health Secretary Albert Domingo drives home the point, especially to the youth: “Mga kabataan, nakakasira ng puso ang vape. ‘Yung puso ninyo, okay lang masaktan ng pag-ibig pero ‘wag ninyong saktan ng vape.” (“Young people, vaping damages your heart. It’s okay for your heart to be broken by love, but don’t let it be harmed by vape.”)
But issuing a warning is not enough. Stricter regulations on the sale and marketing of e-cigarettes are urgently needed. Public awareness campaigns should emphasize the risks associated with vaping, dispelling the myth that it is a safe alternative to smoking. Parents, educators, and healthcare professionals must work together to educate and safeguard the community from the harmful effects of vaping.
Let us safeguard the health of our citizens. The death of the 22-year-old young man should be a turning point in the collective fight against the perils of vaping.
