There is a lot of misinformation out there about vaping. Let’s unpack some of these myths and look at the facts. While nicotine does carry some risk, it is not nearly as dangerous as the thousands of other chemicals in cigarette smoke. Plus, e-cigarettes do not produce tar or carbon monoxide, which are 2 of the most harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke.
Vaping Is a Way to Quit Smoking
Vaping is a hot topic with a lot of misinformation floating around. We’ve compiled a list of the most common myths about vaping to help you separate fact from fiction. The truth is that vaping is not an effective way to quit smoking. It may seem harmless, but it is a dangerous addiction that can lead to lung injury or death. Indeed, e-cigarettes (or vapes) do not produce smoke but contain a harmful chemical known as nicotine. Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical that can cause the user to feel like they need a “hit.” When you smoke, you inhale thousands of toxic chemicals into your body, including tar and carbon monoxide, which have been proven deadly. When you vape, inhale heated propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and flavors intended as food ingredients into the mouth, nose, throat, lungs, and stomach. In addition, the toxins from e-cigarettes aren’t just harmful in the short term. Studies show that long-term exposure to vapor is also inadequate for you. This includes the increased risk of developing heart disease, lung damage, and cancer. Another primary concern with vaping is that it can lead to cigarette or more challenging drug use. This is because nicotine can be a gateway to addiction. It can cause the user to crave harder drugs and can increase feelings of depression. It is important to note that vaping is not regulated for safety. While there are some restrictions on the sale of flavored tobacco products, there are no such restrictions for vapes or JUULs. This allows youth to access a wide variety of flavors and devices. And despite federal limits, it is still possible for young people to buy these devices from their friends or from retail stores that do not enforce age restrictions.
Vaping Is Safe
The use of e-cigarettes and other “vape” products has skyrocketed in recent years. Some people have taken to vaping in the hope of quitting smoking, but it’s essential to know that even vaping is not without risks. E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that turn liquids into water vapor. The water vapor contains many dangerous chemicals that can cause lung damage. E-cigarettes also have a lot of nicotine, which is very addictive and can lead to tobacco addiction. Nicotine can cause long-term changes in the brain that promote addiction. This can affect brain function, reduce a person’s ability to learn and focus, and make them more likely to take risky behaviors. This is particularly true for teens with developing brains that are susceptible to the addictive properties of nicotine. Studies have shown that vaporized chemicals from the vaping process can be harmful to the lungs and cardiovascular system. They can also trigger the production of a chemical called adrenaline, which causes a person to feel stimulated and can increase a person’s craving for nicotine. This combination can lead to a cycle of using e-cigarettes and increasing the amount used, resulting in a stronger addiction.
Additionally, the chemicals in e-cigarettes can leak from the device into the air and contaminate the surrounding environment. This can be a problem for people who live or work near a smoker, as well as for young children who often copy the actions of their parents or other adults. This is especially concerning because secondhand cigarette smoke can cause serious health problems in others. So far, there is no evidence that vaping produces secondhand smoke. However, it is still essential to avoid vaping around babies and children so they don’t inhale harmful chemicals in the vapor.
Vaping Is Healthy
The devices used for vaping (also known as e-cigarettes or e-cigs) heat a liquid to create an aerosol that you inhale. But it’s important to remember that while nicotine is not a carcinogen, other chemicals in cigarette smoke are – and some of them are known to cause lung damage. In addition, the vapor from a vape contains traces of solvents and flavorings. And there are reports of exploding batteries causing injuries. E-cigarettes and e-cigs also expose people around you to secondhand exposure to these harmful chemicals. And they’re unsafe for kids and teens who might lick the liquid inside them or swallow it. It’s already been found that the liquid in e-cigarettes can slow brain development and harm the lungs.
In addition, vaping can lead to addiction and even harder drug use. Although federal and provincial limits have raised the legal age to buy tobacco to 21 and banned the sale of flavored products, youth still find it easy to get them from older peers. This means that a whole generation is getting exposed to these harmful chemicals. Despite the harms, some people do make the switch to vaping. And while it’s still not healthy, it might be better than smoking. Smoking is associated with many health problems, including heart disease and stroke. And vaping might be easier on the lungs than smoking. But it’s still too early to know how healthy it is in the long term. In the meantime, it is essential to remember that vaping is not entirely harmless and that more research is needed on its adverse effects on our bodies.