剥开电子烟的糖衣

Lin Han pointed out that the World Health Organization and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have not approved e-cigarettes as a legal smoking cessation aid because there is a lack of scientific proof of their long-term safety and effectiveness in smoking cessation. Studies have shown that vaping can prolong or increase addiction to nicotine, preventing some people from quitting. In addition, the content of e-cigarette liquids is not regulated and often not accurately labeled. If used for smoking cessation, harmful chemicals may cause more harm.

Lin Han emphasized: "E-cigarettes are currently banned in more than 30 countries around the world, including Singapore. It is recommended that quitters seek professional help from a pharmacist or doctor in advance, rather than directly switching to e-cigarettes."

Dr Jonathan added that studies comparing the use of e-cigarettes to other smoking cessation aids such as nicotine gum and patches have shown that in the absence of behavioral support for quitting smoking, e-cigarette use alone is unlikely to lead to any meaningful long-term cessation .

Dr Liu Zhenguang, Specialist Consultant, National Addiction Treatment Service, Faculty of Mental Health, warns: "E-cigarettes may contain nicotine in higher concentrations than cigarettes. Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical that has been shown to be harmful to the developing adolescent brain , predisposing to cognitive impairment, such as concentration and memory problems, and possible later behavioral and emotional problems, such as depression and anxiety.

Lin Yijing said that the survey shows that the use of e-cigarettes can cause a "gateway effect" (gateway effect), causing e-cigarette users to continue to try other tobacco products, and non-smoking youths who have tried e-cigarettes are more likely to smoke than non-smoking peers. Conventional cigarettes were two to three times more likely.

In addition, the general behavior of e-smokers is to use e-cigarettes as a supplement to traditional cigarettes, not a substitute. This means that many people end up being dual users, exposed to the health hazards of two tobacco products at the same time. In the United States, nearly 70% of adult e-cigarette smokers use both e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes.

E-cigarette inhalation of nicotine or more

Dr. Liu Zhenguang said that people who are addicted to nicotine should smoke electronic cigarettes regularly to maintain the nicotine concentration in the body. Stopping use can lead to nicotine withdrawal symptoms, including physical discomfort such as fatigue and difficulty concentrating. He explained: "Such symptoms are similar to the addiction of smoking traditional cigarettes, and may occur faster when the nicotine concentration of e-cigarettes is higher."

林涵说，虽然迄今没有研究表明电子烟比香烟更易上瘾，但 两者都含有尼古丁。事实上，电子烟可含有不同剂量的尼古丁， 而它们不受监管也没行业标准。 若电子液体盒中尼古丁的浓度和 纯度高时，就算吸入次数与传统 香烟相同，电子烟客所吸入的尼古丁可能更多。此外，电子烟不像香烟易燃尽，因此电子烟客往往会摄入更多尼古丁，最安全的方法是不要碰这两种烟草品。

刘镇光医生说，成瘾活动或行为的强度和频率会随着时间增加，以获得同等程度的满足。若对成瘾活动失去控制，以致个人、职业和社会功能受到影响， 应寻求专业援助。

拨开云雾　解答迷思

针对电子烟气体比传统烟草产生的烟雾更安全的错误观 念，乔纳森医生引述刊登在2018年《欧洲呼吸杂志》的研究指出：“以啮齿动物接触电子烟的气体与触烟草烟雾的比较结果显示，无论接触哪一项都对肺组织和血管损造成相同程度的损害。”

两名药剂师也澄清有关电子烟的常见迷思：

吸电子烟不会释放二手烟，对周围的人来说更安全？

电子烟不像香烟释放烟雾，但液体在加热后会向空气中释放气溶胶（aerosols）。这种气溶胶含有害物质，包括尼古丁、致癌化学物质和其他可能导致肺部和心血管疾病的有毒化合物。此外，电子烟添加的香料所散发出的甜味可能会诱使人们产生一种虚假的安全感，认为从电子烟中吸入的二手气溶胶烟雾是安全的。

吸电子烟比吸香烟环保？

电子烟不仅会对健康造成严重危害，还会对环境造成很大威害。电子烟的配件如烟盒是用不可生物降解的材料制成，因此最终会分解成污染环境的微塑料。另外，来自电池和加热配件的重金属会污染环境，而产生的气溶胶也会造成空气污染。 处理电子垃圾的成本还会更高，因为在回收前须先经过一轮处理步骤。

如何应对常见戒断症状

林依静说，由于烟草中的 尼古丁极易上瘾，烟客要停止吸烟可能会出现戒断症状。这些症状往往在首三天达到高峰 期，并会在一个月内消退，然 而也有些人可能持续出现好几个月的症状。

要减少吸烟欲望，应了解吸烟诱因，避免可能对吸烟产生联想到的常见情况和活动， 可时时提醒自己戒烟原因，让渴望随着时间消散。两名药剂师也谈及常见戒断症状，提供处理建议：

食欲增加

随着戒烟，香烟对神经递 质如血清素和多巴胺的减少会暂时引发食欲增加，但这现象 非永久，一旦身体习惯戒掉尼 古丁，对食欲的影响就会消失。

• 建议选择较健康的零食，如水果、酸奶和无糖糖果解馋。
  
• 出外时可随身携带水壶，在需要时多喝水。
  
• 增加热量摄取的期间也注意 以运动消耗额外热量。