*Electronic cigarettes are common items that we see in adverts, movies, as well as many neighborhood stores.
Therefore, you probably have seen them a couple of times. While they are popular, there are a lot of things that many individuals don’t know about e-cigarettes and vaping.
In this article, we will explain what you need to know about them.
What are e-cigarettes?
E-cigarettes (electronic cigarettes) are smoking devices that people often use for marijuana and nicotine. Powered by battery, these devices have a particular place where you can add liquid. Then, the e-liquid is heated up to become aerosol that is inhaled.
E-cigarettes are known by different names including mods, vape pens, e-cigs, vapes, e-hookahs, vaporizers, tank systems, alternative nicotine delivery systems (ANDS), and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). Also, these devices are available in different models such as:
- Cigalike
- Tube mod
- Pod
- Box mod
What is vaping?
Vaping, on the other hand, refers to the process of utilizing e-cigarettes. This term is coined from the fact that e-cigs don’t produce much smoke like traditional tobacco. The devices rather produce an aerosol that the user will inhale into the lung. Nonetheless, vaping involves the use of tobacco products.
The content of e-cigarettes
Basically, the e-cigs contain e-liquid that can come with a wide range of ingredients. The most notable and common ingredient of the liquid is nicotine. Also, the device may contain cannabinoid (CBD) oils, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), formaldehyde, flavoring chemicals, and many other volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Various health effects of e-cigarettes
While you might have seen numerous individuals taking e-cigs for fun, you should note that users of these devices are exposing themselves to a wide range of health implications. Some of the health effects of e-cigarettes include:
- Addiction
As mentioned earlier, each e-cig contains a high concentration of nicotine. This substance is known to be addictive; hence, vaping can lead to addiction problems. In fact, studies have suggested that vaping can be as addictive as taking cocaine and heroin.
- Development issues
For teens, babies, and fetuses, the e-liquid in e-cigarettes can lead to development problems. This is because the brains of these individuals are still at the developmental stages; hence, exposure to the chemicals in the e-liquid can hamper their brain development. Unfortunately, a large percentage of people taking e-cig are teens.
If e-cigarettes are used during pregnancy, it can lead to low weight babies as well as premature births. This is because of the nicotine that the products contain.
- Lung diseases and cancer
The flavoring chemicals in e-liquid are known to be harmful to the body. According to some studies, they have lots of diacetyl, which can cause bronchiolitis obliterans. Similarly, a high concentration of vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol, which are found in e-liquid, can irritate the airway and lungs.
Besides, the volatile organic compounds in the product can destroy the nervous system, kidney, and liver. Formaldehyde is another substance that can lead to some kinds of cancer.
- Heart diseases
There is also a link between e-cigs and heart diseases. Generally, nicotine is capable of increasing your blood pressure as well as your adrenaline. Over time, your heart rate will increase and the risk of having a heart attack will be higher. Therefore, if you are vaping, you should understand that you are exposing yourself to various cardiovascular diseases that can affect the longevity and quality of your life.
E-cigarettes are not recommended for stopping smoking
Lots of e-cigarette companies have marketed their products as smoking cessation tools. However, you should note that e-cigarettes have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or any other international organizations that deal with issues related to tobacco use. According to research, using e-cigs to stop smoking can lead to addiction to electronic cigs and traditional cigarettes. Therefore, you cannot rely on this product to help you stop smoking.
E-cigarettes can harm others around you
Of course, it is well established that third-person smoking of traditional cigarettes is harmful. The same applies to e-cigarettes, although the effect is not as much as that of traditional cigarettes. This is simply because the steam of electronic cigarettes stays in the air for some periods. However, it disappears quicker than the smoke of traditional cigarettes; hence, its effects are known to be less harmful to the environment and the other people around you.
Having said this, using electronic cigarettes still poses danger to other people around you. The effect may be even more significant if the other persons are children.
In conclusion, vaping has become a common phenomenon among various individuals, especially young people that want to avoid smoking traditional cigarettes. Although it is believed that e-cigarettes are not as toxic as traditional ones, they are not free of harmful chemicals. Therefore, you must be careful about vaping.
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