What is Vaping?

Vaping has been in the news a lot lately, with mysterious illnesses and even deaths linked to the habit many use as a substitute for smoking traditional cigarettes. The state of Michigan recently went so far as to ban vaping, with New York considering a similar ban. Here’s what you need to know about vaping, and the controversies surrounding it.

How does vaping work?

Those who vape use an e-cigarette, which is the primary difference between vaping and smoking a traditional cigarette, cigar, or pipe. E-cigarettes don’t produce tobacco smoke but instead put out a water-based, vapor-like aerosol.

For this reason, many contend vaping is a healthier alternative to traditional smoking: all the nicotine, none of the carcinogens of tobacco smoke. Evidence is emerging, however, that there are many serious health risks associated with vaping.

Controversially, some e-cigarettes are flavored, a practice viewed by many as nothing more than a means to get children and young adults hooked on the habit. Just this month, in fact, Michigan became the first state to ban the sale of certain flavored e-cigarettes.

What are the health risks of vaping?

If you yourself vape, or are considering trying to vape as an alternative to smoking, or if you’re concerned about a loved one who vapes, here’s what you need to know:

Don't believe the healthy hype

Smoke from tobacco cigarettes contains 7,000 chemicals, many of which are highly toxic. Vaping aerosol contains fewer chemicals, to be sure, but it’s simply not known how many of those chemicals are toxic. In fact, there’s very little research at all into the long-term health effects of vaping.

Vaping can give you an even bigger dose of nicotine

Nicotine is the primary agent in vaping, so vaping is still highly addictive. In fact, some evidence suggests nicotine is as addictive as heroin and cocaine. Nicotine also raises your blood pressure and spikes your adrenaline, which can lead to a heart attack. And not only does vaping contain nicotine, it allows consumers to get an even bigger dose of nicotine with extra-strength cartridges.

Vaping won’t help you quit smoking, and kids are getting hooked

E-cigarettes have been marketed as a way to quit smoking. It’s important to know, however, that e-cigarettes have not been approved by the FDA as a tool for smoking cessation. In fact, studies show those who vape not only continue to vape, but continue to smoke traditional cigarettes as well.

Furthermore, many teens and young adults are getting hooked on vaping, and some even vape marijuana in their e-cigarettes. Here are some of the reasons vaping is growing among teens and young adults:

• Young people perceive vaping as a safer alternative to smoking
• Vaping is cheaper than smoking regular cigarettes when compared on a per-cigarette-basis.
• Vaping tastes good and it doesn’t stink!

As stated earlier, many e-cigarette manufacturers engage in the controversial practice of flavoring their cartridges with fruity flavors like watermelon. In addition, the lack of tobacco smoke prevents the unseemly smell of cigarette smoke.

In conclusion, there a lot we just don’t know about vaping, but what’s for certain is there’s really no safe way to inhale nicotine, and nicotine is highly addictive not matter how it’s consumed. Those who’ve become hooked on vaping use many of the same techniques traditional smokers use to break their habit, including professional help, alternative approaches to stress relief, and exercise.