How Harmful Are Vape’s?

 

closeup of grey electronic cigarette in hand on white background

 

Are You A Smoker?

Tobacco cigarettes have been around for many many years. It is well known in regards to the dangers what tobacco cigarettes has on the body, such as risk for cancer, heart disease and stroke. Tobacco cigarettes are so dangerous that they kill half of the people who smoke them! However I can agree that cigarette smoking is quite an addiction that is hard to break. The newest smoking gadget on the market is a vape. If you haven’t heard of it yet, a vape is an electronic cigarette used very commonly as an alternative to tobacco smoking. There have been many beliefs about whether vapes are less harmful, just as harmful, or even more harmful then regular tobacco cigarettes.  

 

The amount of people who use electronic cigarettes such as vapes are increasing around the world. It is noted that electronic cigarettes are believed to be less harmful then regular cigarettes but not necessarily harmless. Electronic cigarettes can still contain the addicting ingredient nicotine, but are still believed to be less harm then smoking tobacco cigarettes. The acute effects of electronic cigarettes were primarily believed to be respiratory irritation caused by the ingredient vitamin E acetate- which has luckily been recently removed from the market. 

Are You Thinking Of Quitting?

Electronic cigarettes such as a vape/juul are widely used by the general population. According to to the research, the long-term effects of electronic cigarettes are still unknown. The video above demonstrates a video on how electronic cigarettes can be more harmful then what we think. It is no secret that smoking regardless if it is an electronic cigarette or tobacco cigarette, it is harmful in many ways, as it effects your lungs and can lead to further health issues. The media above explains the carcinogens that are found in electronic cigarettes, making them just as harmful as regular cigarettes. This same media clip supports the research that talks about vitamin E acetate leading to electronic cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury. Although it is believed that the vitamin E acetate was removed from the market, there are no federal regulations that limit the chemicals used in electronic cigarettes or even require the manufacturers to assure the safety of their products. Therefore it is possible that the vitamin E acetate is still being used in electronic cigarettes, or will be used again in the future.

Many people may be using an electronic cigarettes as an “alternative” to tobacco cigarettes. If you want to quit smoking, don’t reach for the vape’s as a “healthier” option. Speak with your doctor about different forms of smoking cessation. Your body will thank you later!

References

Buckell, J., & Sindelar, J. L. (2019). The impact of flavors, health risks, secondhand smoke and prices on young adults’ cigarette and e-cigarette choices: a discrete choice experiment. Addiction, 114(8), 1427-1435.

Cobb, N. K., & Solanki, J. N. (2020). E-Cigarettes, Vaping Devices and Acute Lung Injury. Respiratory Care, 65(5), 713-718.

“Vaping is more harmful than you think” Youtube, Demystifying, 28 November 2019 [Video]

Wilson, S., Partos, T., McNeill, A., & Brose, L. S. (2019). Harm perceptions of e-cigarettes and other nicotine products in a UK sample. Addiction, 114(5), 879-888.