Frequent use of e-cigarettes can more than double the risk of erectile dysfunction, doctors have warned.
According to the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health, a nationwide study carried out on 13,711 men in the United States between 2016-2018, those who use e-cigarettes are 2.5 times more likely to suffer erectile dysfunction than non-smokers, Roengrudee Patanavanich, of Ramathibodi Hospital's Department of Community Medicine, said.
She said the study found that nicotine and other chemicals found in e-cigarette liquids have an adverse impact on the male sex hormone, testosterone.
The president of Action of Smoking and Health Foundation, Prakit Vathesatogkit, said research in Australia found people who smoke one pack of cigarettes a day face a 40% higher risk of erectile dysfunction.
Dr Prakit said the best treatment is to stop smoking.
According to Thai laws, importers of e-cigarette devices can face up to ten years imprisonment.
The sale of e-cigarette liquids can see vendors imprisoned to up to five years or fined not more than 500,000 baht.