TOPSHOT – This photograph taken on May 30, 2023 show an individual vaping an electronic cigarette in Paris. (Photo by JOEL SAGET / AFP) (Photo by JOEL SAGET/AFP via Getty Images)
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E-cigarette sales increased by 49% between 2019-2023, as reported by the CDC Foundation and Truth Initiative. Despite a decrease in e-cigarette use among youth, over 1.6 million young individuals still use e-cigarettes, with nearly 90% opting for flavored varieties.
Vaping differs from smoking cigarettes in that it involves heating a liquid in a small device like a vape or e-cigarette, which is then inhaled into the lungs. Smoking cigarettes, on the other hand, entails burning tobacco.
Is vaping a safer and less harmful alternative to smoking tobacco? Traditional tobacco cigarettes contain 7,000 chemicals, many of which are harmful and toxic to the body. While the exact composition of vaping chemicals is not fully understood, most experts agree that vaping exposes individuals to fewer chemicals compared to traditional cigarettes.
However, this does not imply that vaping is completely safe or less harmful than smoking cigarettes. E-cigarettes available in the U.S. have not undergone a comprehensive FDA review regarding safety and health effects. Furthermore, most vape products contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance also present in tobacco cigarettes, known to be detrimental to health.
Nicotine is recognized for constricting blood vessels, potentially leading to high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, and damaging airways, predisposing individuals to lung diseases. Nicotine can also impact brain development, especially in adolescents, affecting attention, mood, learning, and impulse control, as stated by the CDC.
Even nicotine-free vaping products pose health risks, containing toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein, linked to lung and heart diseases, and even cancer. Additionally, vape products may contain harmful substances like nickel and lead.
Although e-cigarettes are commonly used for smoking cessation, they are not FDA-approved for this purpose, and research indicates that vaping is not a proven method to quit smoking. FDA-approved methods include nicotine patches, gum, and prescription medications.
An emerging concern is the addiction of a new generation to nicotine through vaping, with over 1.6 million American youth vaping, many without prior cigarette smoking experience. This poses a risk due to the high nicotine levels in vape products compared to traditional cigarettes.
While more research is necessary to understand the full extent of vaping’s health effects, it is evident that vaping can be harmful. The misconception that vaping is a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes needs to be addressed.
