1: E-cigarettes are less harmful than smoking, but still unsafe
E-cigarettes heat nicotine (derived from tobacco), flavorings and other chemicals to create an inhalable aerosol. The average cigarette contains 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic. While we don’t know exactly what chemicals are in e-cigarettes, there’s no doubt that vaping exposes you to fewer toxic chemicals than smoking traditional cigarettes. "
However, there has been an outbreak of lung injuries and deaths related to vaping. In February 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 2,807 cases of e-cigarette or e-cigarette use-associated lung injury (EVALI) and 68 deaths from the disease.
The cases appear to primarily affect people who modify vaping devices or use black market modified e-liquids. This is especially true for vaping products that contain THC.
The CDC has identified vitamin E acetate as a chemical of concern in patients with EVALI. Vitamin E acetate, a thickening agent commonly used in THC e-cigarette products, was found in the lung fluid samples of all EVALI patients examined by the CDC.
The CDC recommends people:
- Do not use e-cigarettes or vaping products that contain THC.
- Avoid using informal sources such as friends, family, or online dealers to obtain vaping equipment.
- Do not modify or add any substances to e-cigarette devices that were not designed by the manufacturer.
A study on e-cigarette ingredients published by Johns Hopkins University in October 2021 revealed thousands of chemical ingredients in e-cigarette products, most of which have not yet been identified. Among these substances, the team was able to identify several potentially harmful substances, including caffeine, three chemicals never before found in e-cigarettes, a pesticide and two chemicals associated with possible toxic effects and respiratory Stimulating flavorings.
2: Study shows e-cigarettes are bad for your heart and lungs
Nicotine is the main ingredient in regular cigarettes and e-cigarettes and is highly addictive. If you ignore this craving, it can cause you to crave cigarettes and experience withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine is a toxic substance. It raises your blood pressure and stimulates your adrenaline, which increases your heart rate and the likelihood of a heart attack.
Are e-cigarettes bad for you? There are many unknowns about e-cigarettes, including which chemicals make up the vapor and how they affect physical health long-term. “People need to understand that e-cigarettes are potentially dangerous to your health. Emerging data shows links to chronic lung disease and asthma, as well as links between dual use of e-cigarettes and smoking and cardiovascular disease. You are exposing yourself to a variety of risks that we also in unknown and potentially unsafe chemicals.
3: E-cigarettes are as addictive as traditional cigarettes
Both e-cigarettes and regular cigarettes contain nicotine, which research shows can be as addictive as heroin and cocaine. To make matters worse, many e-cigarette users get more nicotine than from combustible tobacco products: Users can buy super-powerful pods with higher concentrations of nicotine, or increase the voltage of their e-cigarettes to get a bigger hit from the substance.
4: E-cigarettes are not the best tool for quitting smoking
Although e-cigarettes are promoted as an aid to help you quit smoking, e-cigarettes have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a smoking cessation device. A recent study found that most people who intend to use e-cigarettes to kick their nicotine habit end up continuing to use traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes.
In light of the EVALI outbreak, the CDC recommends that people who use e-cigarettes to quit smoking weigh the risks and benefits and first consider other FDA-approved smoking cessation options.
5: A new generation is getting hooked on nicotine
Among young people, e-cigarettes, especially disposable cigarettes, are more popular than any traditional tobacco product. According to the 2021 National Youth Tobacco Survey, more than 2 million U.S. middle and high school students reported using e-cigarettes in 2021, with eight in 10 teens using flavored e-cigarettes.
Three reasons why e-cigarettes are particularly attractive to young people. First, many teens believe vaping is less harmful than smoking. Second, the cost per use of e-cigarettes is lower than traditional cigarettes. Finally, young people and adults find the lack of smoke attractive. Without odor, e-cigarettes reduce some of the stigma of smoking.
The biggest concern about the rise of e-cigarettes is that people who would never smoke, especially young people, are picking up the habit. It's one thing if you switch from smoking to vaping. Getting started with nicotine using an e-cigarette is another story. And, addiction to nicotine often leads to the use of traditional tobacco products on the road.
CDC research shows that e-cigarette use among young people has declined since 2020. This trend may be fueled by children being stuck at home under parental supervision during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, interpreting the data is tricky because young people often change their preferences and may not have considered using single-use products such as "puff sticks" as e-cigarettes when surveyed. The same CDC report says that since 2019, disposable e-cigarette use has increased by 1,000% among high school students and 400% among middle school students.
E-cigarettes and the COVID-19 pandemic
When the coronavirus pandemic first began, data showed e-cigarette sales were down, likely because people were spending more time at home and avoiding stores and public places.
A worrying trend: Rising rates of daily e-cigarette use among all e-cigarette users. The number of people who use e-cigarettes every day used to be one in five, but it has gone up a lot, which is worrying because it means more nicotine addiction.
