DDC Issues Warning About the Harmful Effects of E-Cigarettes

Health officials are warning the public about the harmful effects of electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes to the body, particularly the lungs. Dr. Kajohnsak Kaewjarus, the deputy director-general of the Ministry of Public Health’s Department of Disease Control (DDC), raised the alarm after a report by Ramathibodi Hospital revealed that a percentage of serious lung infection cases in Thailand were caused by smoking e-cigarettes.

Collectively known as E-cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI), symptoms include respiratory problems such as coughing, chest pains, and shortness of breath and gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea, stomach pains, nausea, and vomiting.

Dr. Kajohnsak said as per a Thai PBS World report that many e-cigarette brands are overly advertising their products, claiming that they aren’t harmful to health and causing misunderstandings. He advises everyone to see a doctor immediately if they feel any EVALI symptoms.