Air Pollution and Its Impact on Health:
Air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region has become a serious concern, especially after Diwali when pollution levels rise drastically. The AQI (Air Quality Index) often exceeds 400, and in some places even reaches 999, leading to the air being described as a “gas chamber.” This severely impacts public health, particularly affecting children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory issues. Dr. Kanchan explains that cases of asthma, sinusitis, and COPD increase significantly post-Diwali. Many people are surprised to develop asthma despite never smoking—this can be triggered by cold drinks, chilled environments, or exposure to pollutants.
During pregnancy, if women breathe in polluted air, it can lead to newborns suffering from pneumonia or asthma due to their underdeveloped lungs and weak immunity. Doctors emphasize that air pollution is a “silent killer” that harms the body gradually, often without immediate symptoms, which is why people don’t take it seriously. Preventive measures such as checking AQI levels before stepping outside, wearing masks, and avoiding peak pollution hours (morning and evening) are recommended. Covering the face properly, even with a cloth mask, is advised when using public transport or stepping out in heavy traffic.
Air Pollution, Respiratory Illnesses, and the Rising Trend of Vaping Among Youth:
In cities like Delhi-NCR, air pollution has become a major concern, especially during office hours when traffic congestion is at its peak. According to a March 2023 survey, Delhi alone has around 8.8 million two-wheelers and approximately 3.3 million four-wheelers, leading to heavy traffic on the roads. After the COVID-19 pandemic, people have been hesitant to use public transport due to the difficulty in maintaining social distancing. In such cases, experts advise covering your face properly when going out, wearing a mask, and optionally applying a few drops of almond oil (badam rogan) in the nostrils to prevent harmful particles from entering the body.
Respiratory illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, swine flu, and tuberculosis spread rapidly, especially in polluted environments and among individuals with weaker immune systems. During the COVID-19 pandemic, similar concerns were seen, where the virus affected the lungs and caused difficulty in breathing. To combat respiratory discomfort, natural remedies like drinking turmeric milk, sucking on jaggery at night, and maintaining hygiene are often recommended.
On the other hand, a rising social concern is the growing popularity of vaping among Gen-Z — the generation born after 2000. Initially, awareness campaigns featuring celebrities discouraged tobacco and cigarette consumption, highlighting their links to cancer and other serious health issues. However, many youth have now turned to vapes — electronic cigarettes that come in various colors and flavors — believing them to be a safer alternative. In reality, vapes also pose serious health risks. They contain nicotine and other harmful chemicals that can damage the lungs over time, especially when used regularly. The perception that vaping is harmless is misleading and needs urgent public health attention.
🔥 Smoking & Vaping:
Smoking and vaping both are harmful because they contain nicotine and hundreds of harmful chemicals, many of which are carcinogenic (cancer-causing).
Even though people know smoking causes lung cancer, heart attack, stroke, infertility, etc., they still continue due to addiction.
Vaping is wrongly perceived as a cool alternative, but it also contains nicotine and harmful flavoring chemicals, which can damage the lungs and cause diseases like COPD and asthma.
⚠️ Addiction & Peer Pressure:
People, especially youth, fall into peer pressure (“everyone is doing it, so should I”).
There’s a stereotype around smoking being “cool” or stress-relieving.
Many start smoking in parties or with friends; rarely does anyone start alone.
To fight this, one needs self-motivation, good friend circles, and supportive parents who monitor their children’s company.
🧬 Health Risks:
Smoking/vaping can lead to:
Lung cancer
Infertility in both men and women (low sperm count, PCOD, irregular periods)
Breathing issues like asthma, COPD
Heart and brain issues
Second-hand smoke (passive smoking) is also dangerous and can lead to the same diseases.
🧘♂️ Quitting Strategy:
Quitting smoking is difficult due to withdrawal symptoms like:
Constipation
Restlessness
But it’s possible with:
High-fiber diet
Mental control (15 minutes rule): If you control the urge for 15 minutes, it usually passes.
🌬 Asthma:
Asthma is increasing due to air pollution, smoking, cold drinks, chemical exposure, and indoor dampness.
Treatment needs both medication and lifestyle change:
Avoid triggers like dust, cold foods, pollution, strong odors.
Practice yoga/pranayama (e.g., Anulom-Vilom) for better lung function.
Homeopathy can help with chronic asthma when correctly diagnosed with proper symptom matching.
🏭 Industrial Pollution:
People working in industries like steel, chemical, or textile are at higher risk due to constant exposure to toxic fumes.
One patient working in a steel factory developed COPD after years of inhaling melted metal fumes.
🌳 Environmental Tips:
Trees and air purifiers help reduce pollution.
Government measures like sprinklers in NCR try to clean dust from trees and surroundings.
Clean air improves lung health and reduces asthma triggers.
✅ Key Takeaways:
Nicotine is addictive and harmful, no matter if it’s in cigarettes, vapes, or excess tea.
Self-motivation and awareness are the strongest tools to quit.
Asthma is treatable, but recognizing and avoiding triggers is crucial.
Peer pressure should be handled with awareness and assertiveness.
Everyone should prioritize clean air, good habits, and mental health.