Midan Mordechai Keller, the 16-year-old whose lungs collapsed 10 days ago after he used electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) died at Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Petah Tikva on Saturday after treatment on the ECMO machine that assisted his respiration failed to save him.
The Israel Cancer Association (ICA) issued a statement saying: “We share in the great sorrow over his untimely death and offer our condolences to the family in their heavy grief. We send a hug of sympathy to his family members in the face of the terrible pain.”
Health agencies use incident to discourage smoking
It added that “the use of electronic cigarettes is a worrying phenomenon that has become widespread among children and teenagers in Israel, and it is important that parents and policy makers in Israel know the scientific truth behind the dangerous product which causes physical and mental dependence. In recent years, our awareness guides have been working together with the Education Ministry in schools across the country on the dangers of using e-cigs and other smoking products, and we intend to increase the activity in the coming years.”
It added that “the use of electronic cigarettes is a worrying phenomenon that has become widespread among children and teenagers in Israel, and it is important that parents and policy makers in Israel know the scientific truth behind the dangerous product which causes physical and mental dependence. In recent years, our awareness guides have been working together with the Education Ministry in schools across the country on the dangers of using e-cigs and other smoking products, and we intend to increase the activity in the coming years.”
The use of electronic cigarettes also causes passive smoking through exposure to the toxic substances found in their vapors.
The ICA urged policymakers to “act with determination and combine the forces of uncompromising legislation, vigorous enforcement and extensive outreach activities of all bodies together with the Health Ministry to eradicate the use of electronic cigarettes and all smoking products in Israel. It must be remembered that electronic cigarettes are a relatively new product, and all the health damage caused in the long term have not yet been revealed.”
At the same time, said the ICA, “there are already scientific studies that have revealed an increased risk of asthma, attention and concentration disorders, headaches, impulsive behavior, emotional instability, depression, anxiety, cough and nausea. In addition, studies have also found a link to heart attacks and high blood pressure.”
Similar cases of serious damage from e-cigs to children and teens have been reported in the past in Israel and around the world, said Prof. Hagai Levine, chairman of the Israel Association of Public Health Physicians.
“There is a need for improved enforcement and close supervision of the addictive and health-damaging smoking products, in order to protect public health and in particular the health of children,” he said.
“Because of their availability and low price, along with the variety of flavors, they appeal especially to teenagers."
Prof. Hagai Levine
Surveys from recent years indicate a significant increase in the use of disposable e-cigs by teenagers in Israel. “Because of their availability and low price, along with the variety of flavors, they appeal especially to teenagers,” Levine said. “We call on the government to completely ban the disposable electronic cigarette and ensure the enforcement of the ban on the sale of tobacco products and smoking to minors.”