Differences in CO Exhalation Levels Using Pico Between Electric Cigarettes and Tobacco Cigarettes in Private High School Students in Medan

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 138 views

Differences in CO Exhalation Levels Using Pico Between Electric Cigarettes and Tobacco Cigarettes in Private High School Students in Medan

Introduction

The use of electric cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes has become a growing concern among teenagers, particularly in Medan, Indonesia. As a result, private high school students have become one of the groups affected by this trend. This study aims to explore the difference in carbon monoxide (CO) levels produced when sucking the two types of cigarettes, using a portable CO gauge, namely smokelyzer. In this study, participants who abstain from smoking for 12 hours, then smoking using electric cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes, produced an increase in different CO levels.

Background

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that can be produced by the combustion of tobacco and other materials. CO is a toxic gas that can cause serious health problems, including cardiovascular disease, neurological damage, and even death. The use of tobacco cigarettes is a well-established risk factor for CO exposure, but the use of electric cigarettes has also been linked to increased CO levels. Electric cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid solution to produce a vapor that is inhaled by the user. While e-cigarettes are often marketed as a safer alternative to tobacco cigarettes, there is still limited research on their health effects.

Research Methodology

This study involved two groups of students, totaling 70 people each, chosen based on certain inclusion and exclusion criteria. The participants were asked to abstain from smoking for 12 hours before the study and were provided with information about the procedure and risks involved. The measurement of CO content was carried out using the T-Test independent statistical test, which aims to compare the CO levels excreted after smoking electric cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes.

Research Result

The results showed that the age of 17 years was the highest age of the consumption of electric cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes, with more male proportions than women. From the data analysis, found a significant difference in the value of an increase in CO levels between electric cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes with a P value of 0.007. The average increase in CO content for tobacco cigarettes reaches 2.86, which is higher than the increase in CO levels in electric cigarettes.

Discussion

The results of this study suggest that there are differences in increasing CO levels between users of electric cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes. Although the increase in CO levels produced from the use of electric cigarettes is not too significant, this can be caused by atomization technology used in the fourth generation of electric cigarettes. Atomization technology involves the use of a heating element to vaporize a liquid solution, which can produce a range of chemicals, including CO. The use of atomization technology in e-cigarettes may contribute to the increased CO levels observed in this study.

Conclusion

This study shows that there are differences in increasing CO levels between users of electric cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes. Although the increase in CO levels produced from the use of electric cigarettes is not too significant, this can be caused by atomization technology used in the fourth generation of electric cigarettes. Thus, although electric cigarettes are considered safer than tobacco cigarettes, vigilance is still needed for its long-term health impact.

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that students and the public be aware of the health consequences of the two types of cigarettes. Making wiser choices in everyday life can help protect ourselves from unwanted risks. Health is a very valuable thing, and the right knowledge can help us protect ourselves from unwanted risks.

Limitations

This study has several limitations. Firstly, the sample size was relatively small, and the study was conducted in a single location. Secondly, the study only measured CO levels and did not assess other potential health effects of e-cigarette use. Finally, the study did not control for potential confounding variables, such as the type of e-liquid used or the duration of e-cigarette use.

Future Research Directions

Future research should aim to investigate the long-term health effects of e-cigarette use, including the potential for increased CO levels. Additionally, studies should aim to assess the impact of e-cigarette use on cardiovascular health, respiratory health, and other potential health outcomes. Furthermore, research should aim to investigate the effects of different e-liquid flavors and nicotine concentrations on CO levels and other health outcomes.

References

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Electronic Cigarettes (E-Cigarettes).
[2] World Health Organization. (2019). Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS).
[3] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). Electronic Cigarettes (E-Cigarettes).
[4] American Heart Association. (2020). Electronic Cigarettes and Heart Health.

Appendix

[1] Table 1: Demographic characteristics of participants.
[2] Table 2: CO levels measured in participants.
[3] Figure 1: CO levels measured in participants.
[4] Figure 2: Comparison of CO levels between electric cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About CO Exhalation Levels in Electric Cigarettes and Tobacco Cigarettes

Q: What is carbon monoxide (CO) and how is it related to smoking?

A: Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that can be produced by the combustion of tobacco and other materials. CO is a toxic gas that can cause serious health problems, including cardiovascular disease, neurological damage, and even death. Smoking tobacco cigarettes is a well-established risk factor for CO exposure.

Q: What is the difference between electric cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes?

A: Electric cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid solution to produce a vapor that is inhaled by the user. Tobacco cigarettes, on the other hand, are traditional cigarettes that contain tobacco and are burned to produce smoke.

Q: What is the purpose of this study?

A: The purpose of this study is to explore the difference in carbon monoxide (CO) levels produced when sucking the two types of cigarettes, using a portable CO gauge, namely smokelyzer.

Q: What were the results of the study?

A: The results showed that there are differences in increasing CO levels between users of electric cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes. Although the increase in CO levels produced from the use of electric cigarettes is not too significant, this can be caused by atomization technology used in the fourth generation of electric cigarettes.

Q: What are the potential health effects of CO exposure?

A: CO exposure can cause serious health problems, including cardiovascular disease, neurological damage, and even death. Prolonged exposure to CO can also lead to respiratory problems, such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

Q: Can electric cigarettes be a safer alternative to tobacco cigarettes?

A: While electric cigarettes may be considered a safer alternative to tobacco cigarettes, vigilance is still needed for its long-term health impact. The use of atomization technology in e-cigarettes may contribute to the increased CO levels observed in this study.

Q: What can students and the public do to protect themselves from unwanted risks?

A: Students and the public can make wiser choices in everyday life by being aware of the health consequences of the two types of cigarettes. They can also consider quitting smoking or using alternative nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations, including a relatively small sample size and the study was conducted in a single location. Additionally, the study only measured CO levels and did not assess other potential health effects of e-cigarette use.

Q: What are the future research directions for this study?

A: Future research should aim to investigate the long-term health effects of e-cigarette use, including the potential for increased CO levels. Additionally, studies should aim to assess the impact of e-cigarette use on cardiovascular health, respiratory health, and other potential health outcomes.

Q: What are the references used in this study?

A: The references used in this study include:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Electronic Cigarettes (E-Cigarettes).
World Health Organization. (2019). Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS).
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). Electronic Cigarettes (E-Cigarettes).
American Heart Association. (2020). Electronic Cigarettes and Heart Health.

Q: What is the appendix of this study?

A: The appendix of this study includes:

Table 1: Demographic characteristics of participants.
Table 2: CO levels measured in participants.
Figure 1: CO levels measured in participants.
Figure 2: Comparison of CO levels between electric cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes.