World No Tobacco Day

In our latest article we discuss the importance of World No Tobacco Day, and Arvia’s solution to nicotine water pollution. The significance of World No Tobacco Day lies in its mission to combat the global tobacco epidemic, which claims more than eight million lives each year. Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses. By dedicating a day to focus on tobacco cessation and prevention, the World Health Organisation and its partners emphasise the urgent need to protect public health and save lives.

World No Tobacco Day: Understanding Its Importance

World No Tobacco Day, celebrated annually on May 31st, is a global initiative led by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco use and advocate for effective policies to reduce its consumption. This day aims to highlight the health risks associated with tobacco use and encourage governments to implement comprehensive tobacco control measures.

This year’s theme is ‘Unmasking the appeal,’ which aims to highlight the strategies used by the industry to entice young people to use their harmful products.

Vaping and Vapes: A Modern Concern

Vaping, the act of inhaling vapor produced by electronic cigarettes, has become a prevalent trend, especially among young people. E-cigarettes are often marketed as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, but they still pose significant health risks.

Initially, e-cigarettes were marketed as a smoking cessation tool aimed at helping adult smokers quit. However, their sleek designs, appealing flavours, and aggressive marketing campaigns have made them particularly attractive to adolescents and young adults. This demographic shift has raised concerns about the potential for a new generation to become addicted to nicotine.

It is estimated that thirty-seven million children aged 13-15 years worldwide use tobacco.

Nicotine: Impact on Waterways and the Environment

An emerging environmental concern is the presence of nicotine and other e-cigarette chemicals in wastewater. As more people use vaping products, nicotine traces are increasingly being detected in water systems, potentially affecting aquatic life and water quality.

In addition to its highly addictive nature, nicotine is a toxic substance, and water contaminated with nicotine poses significant concerns. Naturally found in tobacco, nicotine is also a component of numerous vapes and e-cigarettes. Nicotine contaminates water through several mechanisms:

1. In regions where tobacco is cultivated, nicotine and nicotine-based agricultural chemicals (such as neonicotinoids), along with various insecticides and herbicides, can leach into groundwater, necessitating treatment before it is safe for human consumption or agricultural use. Furthermore, nicotine can remain in the environment for extended periods, meaning that leachate from previously cultivated tobacco areas or those treated with neonicotinoids will require continuous treatment.
2. Cigarette butts, which are not biodegradable, contain nicotine and often find their way into groundwater and sewage systems.
3. Alarmingly, increasing concentrations of nicotine are being detected in the inflows to municipal wastewater treatment facilities globally, attributed to the rising disposal of vapes and the production of vape liquids and their packaging.

Health Implications of Nicotine

Nicotine, the addictive substance found in tobacco and e-cigarettes, poses numerous health risks. Nicotine addiction can lead to increased heart rate and blood pressure, respiratory problems, and a higher risk of developing chronic diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema and lung/oesophageal cancers. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable, as nicotine can impair brain development, affecting memory, attention, and learning.

Arvia’s Solutions to Nicotine Water Pollution

Nicotine is just one of the many chemical compounds that can be removed by Arvia’s proven water treatment technology. Our revolutionary Rosalox electrochemical treatment system can remove nicotine safely from water – without any ‘tip-ins’ of hazardous chemicals or by using excessively substantial amounts of electricity.

Nicotine is first adsorbed onto our patented Nyex™ Media and then reduced to water and gas (it is simply vented away) using a low amperage electric current. This means energy consumption is optimised, and operating costs are minimal. For a full explanation of the process, see this page on our site.

Additionally, Nyex reactors have no moving parts and can be deployed where there’s power available, so retrofitting into an existing production line is easy.

In Arvia’s tests, a nicotine concentration of 33mg/l in water was easily reduced to just trace levels.

In conclusion, World No Tobacco Day serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing battle against tobacco use and its impact on global health. As the tobacco industry evolves and new products emerge, it is crucial to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing both the health and environmental challenges they present.

About Arvia

Arvia is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of electrochemical water treatment products.

With design, manufacturing, and R&D in the UK, they also have labs in India, a facility in China and have expanded into the US.

Arvia’s treatment systems include Nyex.3 Florenox, Nyex Rosalox and Nyex Ellenox – three revolutionary systems specifically designed for tertiary water treatment, each delivering spectacular (up to parts per billion) results treating many recalcitrant pollutants in industrial wastewater like PFAS, endocrine disruptors and antibiotics.

To see how Arvia Technology could benefit many water treatment systems worldwide, check the Arvia website or make contact to set up a one-to-one consultation with a water science expert.

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Our water technology can be used to treat a variety of water treatment applications. Once we understand the nature of your wastewater and your final water quality target, our water treatment specialists can make recommendations as to how best to treat your water. Take a look at some of the Nyex applications here:

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