Is Vaping Better Than Smoking Cigarettes
In most cases, vaping is not better than smoking cigarettes. Data suggests that vaping, even if nicotine or illicit drugs are not present in the vapor, predisposes teenagers to future addictive behaviors. A recent study of college students found that e-cigarette use is also significantly associated with illicit drug use and mental health problems. Moreover, contrary to what e-cigarette manufacturers would have the public believe, e-cigarettes are not associated with a decrease in nicotine use. In fact, most smokers who used e-cigarettes in an attempt to quit smoking report that they end up smoking cigarettes and vaping nicotine. Thus, smoking to vaping side effects are likely to include increased not decreased nicotine use.
Vaping: The New Face Of Nicotine Addiction
The healthiest choice you can make for your body is to never start smoking or vaping.
A vape is a battery-operated device that mimics smoking using a process that vaporizes liquid, hence the term vaping. Vaping is legal but is restricted to people over the age of 18 in Manitoba .
A vape can also be called an e-cigarette, vape pen, mod, tank, e-hookah, or other names. They can be different shapes and sizes and can have different power and temperature settings.
The vaping liquid, which is referred to as e-liquid or e-juice, contains propylene glycol, glycerin, flavours, and nicotine. Glycerol and propylene glycol are considered safe for some consumer products, but the long-term effects of inhaling these substances is unknown. The process of heating this e-liquid also creates new harmful substances, such as formaldehyde and metals. Most vaping liquids contain nicotine, and the amount varies . Nicotine salt liquids are delivered in a more efficient e-liquid and they have a more efficient delivery system. They only come in extremely high nicotine strengths. E-liquids with this SaltNic formula have extremely high levels of nicotine. One millilitre of this type of e-liquid can have as much nicotine as three packs of cigarettes .
E-liquid that contains nicotine can be highly toxic if it comes in contact with the skin and mouth. Ensure that e-liquids are stored in a safe place, away from children and pets.
For people in the LGBTQ2+ community help is available at the lastdrag.ca
Nicotine Is Not Benign
The nicotine itself in many vaping liquids should also not be underestimated. Nicotine has harmful neurocognitive effects and addictive properties, particularly in the developing brains of adolescents and young adults. Nicotine exposure during adolescence negatively affects memory, attention, and emotional regulation, as well as executive functioning, reward processing, and learning.
The brain undergoes major structural re-modeling in adolescence, and nicotine acetyl-choline receptors regulate neural maturation. Early exposure to nicotine disrupts this process, leading to poor executive functioning, difficulty learning, decreased memory, and issues with reward processing.
Fetal exposure, if nicotine products are used during pregnancy, has also been linked to adverse consequences such as deficits in attention and cognition, behavioral effects, and sudden infant death syndrome.
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Why Should I Quit
Wanting to be the best, healthiest version of yourself is an important reason to quit vaping. Others include:
Unknown health effects: The long-term health consequences of vaping are not known. Recent studies report serious lung damage in people who vape, and even some deaths.
Addiction: Addiction in the growing brain may set up pathways for later addiction to other substances.
Brain risks: Nicotine affects your brain development. This can make it harder to learn and concentrate. Some of the brain changes are permanent and can affect your mood and ability to control your impulses as an adult.
Use of other tobacco products: Studies show that vaping makes it more likely that someone will try other tobacco products, like regular cigarettes, cigars, hookahs, and smokeless tobacco.
Toxins : The vapor made from e-cigarettes is not made of water. The vapor contains harmful chemicals and very fine particles that are inhaled into the lungs and exhaled into the environment.
Sports: You want to do your best in sports, and vaping may lead to lung inflammation .
Money: Vaping is expensive! The cost of the cartridges over time starts to add up. Instead, you could spend that money on other things you need or enjoy.
What Are The Dangers Of Vaping
The Juul doesnt contain many of the harmful chemicals that traditional cigarettes do, but researchers, health professionals, and public officials have all voiced serious concern about the dangers of vaping, especially with THC vaping products.9
Flavored e-cigarettes and nicotine vaporizers were once hailed as a healthier alternative to cigarettes and even a helpful stepping stone for those trying to quit smoking. While e-cigarettes may still help some adults quit smoking, recent research has linked these products to several serious health risks.
Short-term side effects of vaping can include:10
- Nausea
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Evidence Of Harm Continues To Emerge
Data about respiratory effects, secondhand exposure, and long-term smoking cessation efficacy are still limited, and it remains as yet unknown what combinations of solvents, flavorings, and nicotine in a given e-liquid will result in the most harmful or least harmful effects. In addition, while much of the information about the safety of these components has been obtained using in vitro or mouse models, increasing reports of serious respiratory illness and rising numbers of deaths linked to vaping make it clear that these findings likely translate to harmful effects in humans.
E-cigarettes may ultimately prove to be less harmful than traditional cigarettes, but it seems likely that with further time and research, serious health risks of e-cigarette use will continue to emerge.
A New Generation Is Getting Hooked On Nicotine
Among youth, e-cigarettes are more popular than any traditional tobacco product. In 2015, the U.S. surgeon general reported that e-cigarette use among high school students had increased by 900%, and 40% of young e-cigarette users had never smoked regular tobacco.
According to Blaha, there are three reasons e-cigarettes may be particularly enticing to young people. First, many teens believe that vaping is less harmful than smoking. Second, e-cigarettes have a lower per-use cost than traditional cigarettes. Finally, vape cartridges are often formulated with flavorings such as apple pie and watermelon that appeal to younger users.
Both youths and adults find the lack of smoke appealing. With no smell, e-cigarettes reduce the stigma of smoking.
What I find most concerning about the rise of vaping is that people who wouldve never smoked otherwise, especially youth, are taking up the habit, says Blaha. Its one thing if you convert from cigarette smoking to vaping. Its quite another thing to start up nicotine use with vaping. And, it often leads to using traditional tobacco products down the road.
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Aerosol And Other Risks
The aerosol from e-cigarettes is not harmless. It can contain harmful and potentially harmful chemicals, including nicotine ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs flavoring such diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious lung disease volatile organic compounds such as benzene, which is found in car exhaust and heavy metals, such as nickel, tin, and lead. Scientists are still working to understand more fully the health effects and harmful doses of e-cigarette contents when they are heated and turned into an aerosol, both for active users who inhale from a device and for those who are exposed to the aerosol secondhand. Another risk to consider involves defective e-cigarette batteries that have been known to cause fires and explosions, some of which have resulted in serious injuries. Most of the explosions happened when the e-cigarette batteries were being charged.
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Secondhand Vapeand Other Exposure Risks
Cigarette smoking has been banned in many public places, in view of a large body of scientific evidence about the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. Advocates for allowing vaping in public places say that vaping emissions do not harm bystanders, but evidence is insufficient to support this claim. One study showed that passive exposure to e-cigarette aerosol generated increases in serum levels of cotinine similar to those with passive exposure to conventional cigarette smoke.
Accidental nicotine poisoning in children as a result of ingesting e-cigarette liquid is also a major concern, particularly with sweet flavors such as bubblegum or cheesecake that may be attractive to children.
Calls to US poison control centers with respect to e-cigarettes and vaping increased from 1 per month in September 2010 to 215 in February 2014, with 51% involving children under age 5. This trend resulted in the Child Nicotine Poisoning Prevention Act, which passed in 2015 and went into effect in 2016, requiring packaging that is difficult to open for children under age 5.
Device malfunctions or battery failures have led to explosions that have resulted in substantial injuries to users, as well as house and car fires.
What Are Your Views On The Current State Of Vaping
Vaping is promising for current smokers because it provides a way to reduce their use of tobacco, even if theyre not interested in fully quitting. Similarly, for people who want to quit smoking but relapse, vaping might be a lower-risk alternative until they try to quit again.
Many people are interested in vaping as a quit-aid similar to nicotine replacement products, but studies have not found this form of use has been effective.
Unfortunately, the societal benefits of reducing the number of people who use traditional combustible smoking may be totally erased if teenagers continue to adopt vaping en masse.
While there are fewer direct toxic components and carcinogens in vapor, there are still plenty. Vapor contains heavy metals, carcinogens, direct toxicants and many other products that contribute to worse health outcomes. Nicotine itself is also very harmful, contributing to increased cardiovascular events and adverse events in pregnancy. Nicotine blood levels are not related to the amount of nicotine in solution, but rather by use pattern . People will unconsciously change these factors to achieve their bodys desired nicotine level.
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How Addictive Is Vaping Compared To Smoking Cigarettes
Nicotine is the best-studied addictive compound in cigarettes. Most people who use e-cigarettes use devices with solution that contain nicotine. Because both vaping and cigarettes contain the same underlying addictive substance, vaping has all the intrinsic addictive potential as cigarettes.
Despite having less nicotine than traditional cigarettes, its not a safe assumption that e-cigarettes are healthier. Experiments with light cigarettes showed that smokers changed their inhalation depth, frequency of inhalation and other factors to maintain similar blood levels of nicotine.
Although some vaping solutions dont contain nicotine and instead contain flavorants, some solutions labeled nicotine free have been found to contain nicotine. Its difficult to know how widespread this is, but it will hopefully improve with further FDA regulation.
Causes & Risk Factors
Anyone who smokes or uses other forms of tobacco is at risk of developing nicotine dependence. Various factors influence who is more likely to use tobacco and to develop nicotine dependence:
- Genetics: Heredity may determine how receptors in the brain respond to high doses of nicotine delivered by tobacco products.
- Family and friends: Children with parents who smoke are more likely to eventually take up smoking themselves. Children with friends who smoke are also more likely to try cigarettes.
- Age: The younger a person is when they start using tobacco, the greater the chance that they will continue to smoke and develop nicotine dependence as adults.
- Co-existing mental health problems: People with mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety and schizophrenia, have much higher rates of tobacco use.
- Other substance use: People who use alcohol, cannabis and illegal drugs have much higher rates of tobacco use.
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Tips To Prevent Injuries From Lithium
- Do not modify your vaping device.
- Buy lithium-ion batteries that are compatible with your vaping device.
- Buy lithium-ion batteries from a trusted source.
- Do not carry spare lithium-ion batteries in your pocket or anywhere they can come into contact with loose coins, keys or other metal objects. Lithium-ion batteries can overheat, catch fire or even explode when in contact with metal objects. Reported incidents have caused serious injuries.
- Keep spare lithium-ion batteries in a protective case.
- Read the manufacturer’s instructions for storing and recharging your vaping device.
- Do not exceed the recommended charging time.
- Choose vaping devices certified to a safety standard, such as ANSI/CAN/UL 8139, to reduce the risk of a fire or explosion.
- Do not use or charge vaping devices near oxygen sources, such as pressurized containers used for oxygen therapy.
- Read more about battery safety.
Fruit Flavors Are Popular
Zhu et al estimated that 7,700 unique vaping flavors exist, with fruit and candy flavors predominating. The most popular flavors are tobacco and mint, followed by fruit, dessert and candy flavors, alcoholic flavors , and food flavors. These flavors have been associated with higher usage in youth, leading to increased risk of nicotine addiction.
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Vaping Is Less Harmful Than Smoking But Its Still Not Safe
E-cigarettes heat nicotine , flavorings and other chemicals to create an aerosol that you inhale. Regular tobacco cigarettes contain 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic. While we dont know exactly what chemicals are in e-cigarettes, Blaha says theres almost no doubt that they expose you to fewer toxic chemicals than traditional cigarettes.
However, there has also been an outbreak of lung injuries and deaths associated with vaping. As of Jan. 21, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed 60 deaths in patients with e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury .
These cases appear to predominantly affect people who modify their vaping devices or use black market modified e-liquids. This is especially true for vaping products containing tetrahydrocannabinol , explains Blaha.
The CDC has identified vitamin E acetate as a chemical of concern among people with EVALI. Vitamin E acetate is a thickening agent often used in THC vaping products, and it was found in all lung fluid samples of EVALI patients examined by the CDC.
The CDC recommends that people:
- Do not use THC-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products
- Avoid using informal sources, such as friends, family or online dealers to obtain a vaping device.
- Do not modify or add any substances to a vaping device that are not intended by the manufacturer.
What Does Nicotine Addiction In Teens Look Like
Teens who vape are at risk for addiction, and breaking free isnt easy.
While adults might turn to e-cigarettes to help them quit smoking, many teens start vaping thinking its a safe alternative. Thats because some e-cigarettes claim to be nicotine free. Recent CDC research has shown that isnt true 99% of e-cigarettes contain nicotine. Vaping products may contain other harmful substances as well, such as lead and cancer-causing chemicals.
Bottom line: Vaping is not a harmless habit.
Just ask Collin Bynum, 18, of Red Oak, Texas. He knows firsthand how addictive e-cigarettes can be.
Mr. Bynum started vaping at the end of his sophomore year in high school and built up a heavy habit. I used to go through two pods a day, he says. But thanks to the nicotine cessation program at UT Southwesterns Harold C. Simmons Cancer Center, and plenty of help and encouragement from his mother, Mr. Bynum was able to quit vaping. I can breathe a lot better now, he says.
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What Are The Health Risks Of Nicotine Addiction
Many health issues come from long-term nicotine use, ranging from poorer blood circulation and heart problems to digestive system issues. Pregnant women who smoke also put their baby at risk of developing serious health problems during the pregnancy and later on in life.
Nicotine can harm a teenagers memory and ability to concentrate, as well as alter their brain development and lessen their ability to control their impulses.
Many health issues from nicotine use are also linked to the harmful chemicals found in cigarettes, chewing tobacco and vaping products. Some of these chemicals can cause cancer and other serious health problems.
New Survey Shows Progress On Curbing Teen Vaping But E
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The 2021 Monitoring the Future survey data released today show progress in the fight to curb youth nicotine vaping, signaling efforts to provide education to prevent e-cigarette use and quitting resources are starting to work. However, more is needed to accelerate progress to end the ongoing youth e-cigarette epidemic amid growing concerns over continued, easy access to flavored products, risk of nicotine addiction, and the impact on youth mental health. While there have been declines across the board among surveyed students in all three grades, according to the 2021 MTF data 19.6% of 12th graders, 13.1% of 10th graders and 7.6% of 8th graders used e-cigarettes in the last 30 days .
The University of Michigan’sMonitoring the Future study tracks trends in substance use among students in 12th, 10th, and 8th grades.
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Can Vaping Disrupt Brain Development
Nicotine changes the signaling of certain molecules in the brain, including dopamine cells in the brain change with repeated exposure to nicotine. The brain isnt able to release its own pleasure-creating chemicals as easily. Additionally, teens will need more nicotine to get high with repeated exposure.
These effects on the brain can contribute to symptoms like anxiety and depression. While some of them may go away with time, other effects may be long-lasting. For example, when teens use nicotine products, they could experience persistent problems with impulse control, focus and attention, even after they stop using nicotine.
