Every cigarette is one step closer to the emergency room.

Mr. NVL (51 years old, living in Tay Ninh ) was taken to People's Hospital 115 (HCMC) in a state of difficulty breathing, rapid pulse, and difficult-to-measure blood pressure after suddenly fainting while working in the field.

Previously, he had symptoms such as dizziness and chest tightness.

Illustration photo.

At the front line, he was diagnosed with a suspected myocardial infarction and quickly transferred to the hospital. The results of a CT scan of the pulmonary blood vessels at the 115 People's Hospital showed that he had acute pulmonary embolism, a large blood clot blocking both pulmonary arteries, causing obstructive shock. The patient was treated with thrombolytic drugs and recovered after a week.

Ultrasound of the lower limbs detected thrombosis in the femoral and popliteal veins of the left leg. Doctors determined that the cause was related to the patient's smoking habit of more than 20 years, with a smoking rate of about one pack per day.

Dr. Do Cong Tuan (Emergency Department) said that smoking is not a direct cause of pulmonary embolism but is a factor that increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis, which leads to serious complications. In addition, smoking is also a factor that causes many other dangerous cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

To prevent pulmonary embolism, doctors recommend quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, and increasing physical activity. Quitting smoking is a simple but effective way to protect the health of yourself, your family, and the community.

In addition to traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products are emerging as a new trend, especially among young people, but they have many potential serious consequences. According to the Ministry of Health , the rate of 13-15 year old students using e-cigarettes has increased rapidly, from 3.5% in 2022 to 8% in 2023. In the 15-24 age group, this rate is 7.3%.

Data from nearly 700 medical facilities nationwide recorded that in 2023 alone, there were 1,224 hospitalizations related to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. Common symptoms include allergies, poisoning, and acute lung injury. Notably, 81 cases were first-time users.

A study by the University of Public Health (2023) conducted on more than 3,800 students in 11 provinces and cities showed that 14% had tried e-cigarettes and 7% were using them in the last 30 days. This rate for heated tobacco products was 1.8% and 1.0%.

Many international and domestic studies show that e-cigarettes are not “safe”. Users have reduced lung function and increased respiratory resistance. A study in Canada on more than 44,000 adults showed that the risk of reduced lung function due to obstruction in e-cigarette users is twice as high as in non-users.

E-cigarettes can also cause cardiovascular disorders such as arteriosclerosis, hypertension, coronary artery disease, stroke, and even cancer due to DNA damage. Aerosols and metals in the drug solution can activate cancer-causing enzymes, increase resistance to chemotherapy, and worsen the disease.

Another emerging risk is the abuse of e-cigarettes for drug use. The Ministry of Public Security has recorded many cases of products mixed with synthetic cannabis, ketamine, heroin... In 2023, the Poison Control Center, Bach Mai Hospital received nearly 130 cases of poisoning related to e-cigarettes, many of which tested positive for drugs.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thu Thuy, Deputy Director of the Legal Department, Ministry of Health, the risks from e-cigarettes are even higher than cigarettes due to their high nicotine content, large capacity, long usage time, lack of clear labeling and no child-resistant packaging.

It is known that the National Assembly has passed a Resolution banning the production, trading, import, transportation and use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, effective from January 1, 2025.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/moi-dieu-thuoc-la-mot-buoc-gan-hon-toi-phong-cap-cuu-d410699.html