The Risks of Vaping
Vaping has undoubtedly been discussed a lot lately. You may also be aware of the recent increase in lung diseases and fatalities in the United States related to vaping. However, those aren’t the only dangers associated with vaping. What you should know is as follows.
Vaping equipment is available in a wide variety of forms, including e-hookahs, vape pens, and e-cigarettes. Some have the appearance of standard cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Others have shapes that resemble commonplace items, such USB memory sticks or pencils.
Even though they may have varied looks, most vaping devices function similarly. A heating device with batteries is activated by puffing. As a result, the liquid in a cartridge heats up and transforms into vapour that can be inhaled.
The lungs are exposed to a number of substances when vaping. These include flavourings and other additives that are put into vaping liquids, as well as the principal compounds in tobacco (nicotine) or marijuana (THC). In addition, the vaporising process might result in the production of additional compounds.
Dr. Thomas Eissenberg, a specialist in tobacco research at Virginia Commonwealth University, adds that if the liquid contains nicotine, the user is also breathing the other chemicals of the liquid in addition to nicotine.
While all vaping devices function in a similar way, some are stronger than others. More chemicals are delivered and more vapour is produced.
How safe is vaping, then? According to studies, switching from traditional cigarettes to nicotine vaping as a complete replacement may be less risky than doing so. However, vaping nicotine still poses a risk to your health.
Your lungs aren’t meant to deal with the constant challenge of non-air that people are putting into them—sometimes as many as 200 puffs per day—day after day, week after week, year after year.
You’re breathing in nicotine, vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, and flavourings that were intended for consumption rather than inhalation. “And this tiny reactor, an e-cigarette, is where all of those are heated up. These elements may transform into other compounds that could be hazardous when heated.
One potentially dangerous substance is a thickening agent called vitamin E acetate, which is occasionally added to vape goods that include THC. It was classified by the CDC as a “chemical of concern” among those who have had lung damage as a result of vaping. They advise staying away from any vaping products that contain THC or Vitamin E acetate, especially those obtained from unofficial sources like friends, relatives, or local or online sellers.
Teenagers now prefer vaping over smoking conventional cigarettes. One in four high school seniors claim to have smoked vape in the previous week. Additionally, research indicates that kids who vape nicotine may be more prone to later start smoking regular cigarettes.
Teenagers’ use of marijuana vape products has also significantly increased. One year ago, 20% of seniors in high school vaped marijuana. In the last two years, the rates have more than doubled.
New legislation aims to reduce teen vaping. All tobacco goods, including vaping products, now need a minimum age of 21 for purchase. Additionally, businesses are no longer permitted to develop and market flavours like fruit and mint that appeal to kids.
It’s never too late to stop smoking or vaping if you’ve already started.
If any of the challenges outlined in this article are impacting you, please reach out to us, and our team will try to assist in any way we can.
