Text forum: Vaping versus Traditional Smoking

Chairperson: Assalamualaikum and a very good morning for our lecturer,

Madam Fauziah, all audiences and our panellist today. It was great today for
us to discuss about vaping and smoking which are so famous problem among
youth and adults nowadays neither new phenomenon in our country. Despite
from that, our panellist for today will share the information about. On my right
side is Dr. Siti Nur Izzati Atiqah binti Alias from Hospital Melaka and she is
working as specialist chronic of lung diseases. Beside her is Datuk Nor
Hidayah binti Mohd Azhar as socialist on Pertubuhan Anti Dadah Malaysia.
Lastly, Miss Siti Rabiatul Ashikin binti Jamaludin from Sekolah Menengah
Tinggi Perempuan, Melaka. She has worked as counsellor there for more
than five years.

Alright, so I would like to have Dr. Izzati to tell us what is it the definition of
vaping which now give such a big wave in our country ?

Panel 1: Thank you and very good morning to our chairperson who is miss
Atikah. I will explain about the definition of vaping. Vaping refers to the use of
e-cigarettes that simulate the experience of smoking, and is usually meant for
adult smokers who want to move away from the habit of traditional smoking.
The term 'vaping' arises from inhaling and exhaling the vapor created from a
combination of nicotine, a liquid and specific flavors, making it close to
smoking without its risk to the lungs. There are versions of the vaping liquid
that do not include nicotine, however.

Vaping is said to simulate the experience of smoking without exposing the user
to the usual risks that come with smoking. Because the "smoke" from vaping is
actually just water vapor, vaping poses little threat to the lungs, unlike tobacco
smoke.

Electronic cigarettes vaporize nicotine by heating a liquid base that contains a

small percentage of pure nicotine extract in a propylene glycol. The liquid base
is available in a wide variety of flavors and nicotine strengths.

The vapor produced by electronic cigarettes does not contain the burned resins
and chemicals that are in traditional cigarettes. Since ecigs are not burned, they
don’t produce smoke, ash, or the burning odor that the combustion of tobacco
produces. Because of the added food flavoring, the vaping gives off aromas that
are familiar and pleasant to most people.

Chairperson: Okay, thank you Dr. Izzati for the describing of vaping. Now,
what is it smoking means ? can we have Datuk HIdayah to tell us about that ?

Panel 2: Thank you miss chairperson. Assalamualaikum wbt and a very good
morning to our beloved lecturer, Madam Fauziah, all the panelist and
audience. I am so glad to be one of the guests here. As what miss Atikah
asked just now, I will elaborate about definition of traditional smoking.

Smoking is the inhalation of the smoke of burning tobacco encased in

cigarattes, pipes and cigars. Casual smoking is the act of smoking only
occasionally, usually in a social situation or to relieve stress. Many health
experts now regard habitual smoking as a physocological addiction too and
one with serious health consequences. Traditional cigarettes are made of
tobacco, which contains nicotine, the addictive ingredient that has kept you
smoking. Burning tobacco produces heat that vaporizes the nicotine. In fact,
cigarette smoke contains over 4000 chemicals, compound and 400 other
toxins. This includes nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide as well as
formaldehyde, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide and arsenic. That all, thank you.

Chairperson: Ohh now I know it more briefly. So now we know the definition
of vaping and smoking. Miss Rabiatul, can you tell us the similarities of
vaping and smoking ?

Panel 3: Thank you Miss Atikah. Both smokers and vapers (use a sucking
action to breathe in. When inhaling an analog cigarette, the smoker will feel a
hit in the back of their throat. This is called a throat hit. E-cigarettes also
provide a throat hit. The stronger the nicotine strength, the stronger the throat
hit provided.

Besides, both smokers and vapers exhale remnants through their mouth or
their nose. Analogs create a burning sound, while e-cigs mimic that sound
with a crackling sound made by the e-liquid being heated.

Analogs produce visible smoke, while ecigs produce a vapor. Analogs have a
bright red flame on the tip when sucking in, while some ecigs come with a red
LED on the tip that lights up when sucking in.
White is most often the main color of analogs, and there are white-colored
ecig batteries.

E-cigs provide hand-to-mouth simulation, just like analogs. This means that
the act of vaping simulates smoking – because the motion used is the same.
The user inhales, feels a throat hit in the back of their throat, swallows, and
then exhales vapor.

Chairperson: We can see the similarities now but what is it the differences
between vaping and smoking because we can see some peoples are too
addictive in smoking but some are in vaping. Dr.Izzati, please describe the
differences for of this.

Panel 1: Thank you miss Atikah. The differences between vaping and smoking
are analogs or knownly as traditional smoking contain of tobacco leaf, while e-
cigs do not. E-cigs are battery-powered, while analogs are combustion-
powered. Many e-cigs are reusable. Analogs produce smoke, while e-cigs
produce vapor. Smoking is smelly, and its odor lingers on clothing, fingers, hair,
skin and in air long after the cigarette is done. Vaping does not produce odors.
Smoking is banned in many restaurants, nightclubs, bars,sports arenas, offices,
movie theatres, public transportation, and many other public places. Vaping is
allowed in some places that real cigarettes are not. Analogs cost much more
than e-cigs, about 50-70% more in fact. Analogs stain fingers, teeth, and walls,
while e-cigs do not. Analogs only come in so many flavors, typically only
tobacco-flavored or menthol-flavored. E-cigs come in hundreds of different
flavors, including fruits, desserts, coffees, and cocktails.

Chairperson: Wow too many differences even they are look closed to. Surely
both of this give us health effect so Datuk, can you tell us the effect for our
health ?

Panel 2: So, I am so care about or health. Here, as we know tobacco

cigarettes are very addictive and are known to have extremely serious long-
term health effects from extended use. In fact, they are the greatest cause of
preventable death globally. Possible negative health effects include heart
disease, stroke, emphysema, cancer, and hypertension.

Long-term health effects of electronic cigarettes are largely unknown. They

are considered safer and less destructive to health than traditional smoking.
They do usually contain nicotine, which remains as addictive as with real
cigarettes, but there is no tar or other byproducts of burning. The “smoke” is
actually water vapor, and electronic cigarettes are thought to be far safer for
long-term health than paper cigarettes. That all, thank you.

Chairperson:I have been heard about secondhand smoke before. But, what
it is actually ?So, Miss Rabiatul would tell us about the secondhand smoke.

Panel 3: I am also new about the secondhand smoke but I had discovered
something about this. Exposure to secondhand smoke from tobacco asthma.
cigarettes has been shown to cause cancer, respiratory infections, and
Research has not shown that there is any safe level of exposure to
secondhand smoke. Electronic cigarettes do not pose any secondhand risks.
The main concern with these devices being used in public is their possible
appeal to children.
Chairperson: So far, we know many information about vaping and smoking.
So, Dr. Is vaping better than smoking ?

Panel 1: Thank you miss Atikah,As mentioned above, there has not been
much research on the effects of chemicals inhaled from vaping. As a general
rule, doctors maintain that inhaling any kind of chemicals is a bad idea.
However, vaping does not get into the lungs, nor does it involve tar or carbon
monoxide like in smoking. Smoking cigarettes is so bad, that vaping despite
of its chemicals is considered relatively mild. While no habit trumps over
smoking or vaping, vaping is a good way to wean off from smoking.

Chairperson: All things in this world need rules as to make it work smoothly.
So, what is the regulation of having a cigarettes Datuk ?

Panel 2: What you said just now is totally right. As we know if someone using
harmful substances they have regulation that for someone to use it.

Cigarettes can only be sold to adults 18 years of age and older. Smoking in
public places has been greatly restricted in the United States and in many
other countries. While specific restrictions may vary from state to state, it is
generally not permitted to smoke in public places such as restaurants, bars,
movie theaters, etc. other than areas designated specifically for smoking.

Several states have banned sale of the devices to anyone under 18 years of
age. Overall, smokers are much more free to use e-cigarettes than real
cigarettes, and they are can usually be used indoors, even in public places
before this but nowadays government had banned authorities from using e-
cigarattes rather that cigarettes. That all, thank you.

Chairperson: I can see that it is not easy to have cigarettes especially for
young teenagers. To end our discussion today, I would like Miss Rabiatul to
make a conclusion for our hot topic today.

Panel 3: Alright, despite the overwhelming evidence that has been

presented, it is important to mention that vaping is neither safe nor healthy.
(Huh!?) Relatively speaking, vaping is a much safer and healthier alternative
to traditional smoking, in our opinion. In addition, vaping has been proven to
be one of the most effective devices for getting off the “stinkies”. Many of the
big tobacco companies are already starting to make their own electronic
cigarettes, which have been pretty dreadful, but this might be an indication as
to where the industry is heading. I guess only time will tell who will win the
battle of e-cigarettes vs. cigarettes.

Chairperson: Thank you Miss Rabiatul. So, our hot topic today had meet the
end. Now, all of us know information about vaping and smoking. I am hoping
for us to make good decision when we been exposed to all of this. A big
thanks to Madam Fauziah, all panels and audiences.