Vaping and the use of E-cigarettes seem to be everywhere these days. Many people think them to be useful tools for people looking to quit smoking. Nonetheless, young people think they are cool devices and relatively risk-free. The big question to ask is that are they safe? Let’s first know what vaping is all about.
What is vaping?
It is the inhaling of a vapor created by an electronic cigarette or any other vaping devices. The electronic cigarettes (e-cigarette) are battery-powered smoking devices. They come with cartridges filled with a liquid containing chemicals, nicotine, and flavorings.
The liquid in the cartridge is heated producing vapor, which the person inhales. That’s why the use of e-cigarettes is referred to as ‘vaping.’
Before you start to use one of these devices, or allowing someone you care about, like your child (teen), to start vaping, get to know the following facts first.
- Is vaping addictive?
It’s usually one of the burning questions that almost everyone is asking. Well, we won’t play around with the question. Vaping is addictive. It’s because of the fact that these devices contain highly addictive nicotine. Nevertheless, it harms brain development, especially among the adolescent.
- Is it safer to not vape every day?
Even when you don’t vape every day, you can still get addicted. Therefore, it is generally not good for your health. The addiction to it may vary between people. You can even get addicted after the first day of use.
- E-cigarettes FDA approved
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not authorize all the products used in vaping as a smoking cessation aid. Moreover, the FDA has also suggested that standards of safety set do not bind these vaping devices. But why are there many e-cigarettes advertisements going around on the internet and T.V? Well, the new regulations allow them to carry out a risk-free image in their marketing. As a result of that, you’ll see many enticing offers of candy-like flavors of e-cigarettes that are appealing and really getting hold of young adults.
- Use of vaping products is not a proven method for quitting smoking
E-cigarettes are only preferred as an alternative to traditional cigarettes and only when used as a replacement to smokers who have been unable to discontinue smoking using proven and medically approved methods. However, there is still little evidence that vaping reliably leads to smoking cessation or reduces cigarette smoking. In fact, the nicotine contained in vaping products may, in some cases make it harder to quit smoking.
- There is no evidence that the aerosol from vaping products is safe
There has been a growing concern about the health effects of aerosolizing nicotine contained in vaping devices. It’s because the additives, ultrafine particles, and heavy metal contained in vaping devices contain carcinogens and toxins.
- The spread of vaping devices is re-normalizing smoking behavior
The global efforts of reducing cigarette smoking, especially among the young people, is almost hitting a hard rock. It’s because of the popularity of nicotine devices, and their availability keeps on advancing each day. For instance, JUUL, a brand of e-cigarette, that manufactures vaping devices like a USB flash drive. The design alone has contributed to the widespread use of the nicotine devices by students in schools.
Final Thoughts
If you do not smoke or use other forms of nicotine, steer clear of vaping devices. It’s because of the potential risks to your health, outweigh any enjoyment you have at the moment when using these devices. However, if you are a long-term cigarette smoker and you are really struggling to cut back on smoking, then vaping devices appear to be a safer alternative than traditional smoking. With these facts, it will be easy to weigh the options and see whether vaping is right or wrong for you.