Vaping: Is It Really Safer?

When vaping was first introduced, it was thought to be a possible smoking cessation aid.

However, this has not been a straightforward concept.

Vapes or e-cigarettes use a heating element that turns a nicotine-infused liquid into an inhaled aerosol. These Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) have become increasingly popular over the last decade because of their convenience and accessibility. You can also purchase a wide variety of different flavors, making them more appealing to those who cannot tolerate the taste or smell of cigarettes.

When e-cigarettes are used alone in short-term situations, there have been good results with tobacco cessation. When people use cigarettes in addition to e-cigarettes, they become dependent on both. Therefore, it is crucial to not utilize both e-cigarettes and cigarettes concurrently.

Some e-cigarettes on the market contain a higher nicotine concentration—sometimes equivalent to that of two cartons of cigarettes, making it even more addictive.

Vaping Among Teens & Young Adults

Another scary statistic over the past few years is the uptick in vape usage by teenagers and young adults. Recent data has shown that ENDS are the most used nicotine product by middle and high school students. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 18- to 24-year-olds use e-cigarettes at a higher rate than any other age group.

For teens and young adults, nicotine has significant short- and long-term risks. Nicotine can negatively affect brain development and increase the risk for mood disorders.

There is also concern that ENDS are a gateway to cigarette smoking and increase long-term tobacco usage and addiction. A staggering percentage of adults admit that their nicotine addiction started prior to or around age 18. It is crucial to have early open and honest discussions with the children and teens in your life regarding tobacco use as it’s evident that exposure to nicotine-containing agents is occurring at younger ages.

Long-Term Effects

Unfortunately, there is still a lot we do not know regarding the long-term effects of ENDS use. We do know that nicotine can cause cancer. An estimated 90% of lung cancer cases occur in someone who either smokes or has smoked. Other cancer-causing agents have been found in e-cigarette aerosol particles. Nicotine inhalation is also known to cause lung irritation and increase the risk for recurrent respiratory infections.

The FDA has increased regulation around e-cigarettes. There are efforts to ban the use of certain flavorings that have been found to be more harmful or more appealing to a younger population.

Although long-term effects of vaping are still being studied, there have been an alarming number of case reports and new data to show increase in vaping-related lung injuries, hospitalizations and even death. Increased coughing, wheezing and worsening of symptoms of chronic lung diseases such as asthma and COPD have also been reported.

Quitting Nicotine

Nicotine rewires the brain to make it think it needs nicotine to work. Intense cravings and other withdrawal symptoms such as irritability and difficulty concentrating/sleeping can make quitting very difficult.

Tobacco cessation is crucial for long-term health and prevention, and there are many methods and tools including nicotine patches, lozenges and gums.

Nicotine replacement therapy helps decrease symptoms of withdrawal and cravings by releasing a small amount of nicotine that helps resist the urge to smoke or vape without being exposed to the harmful chemicals found in nicotine products. Medications such as varenicline (Chantix®) can be very effective, but studies have shown that these aids work best when used in conjunction with counseling.

It can take several tries to completely quit smoking and vaping, so don’t give up! If you want to pursue tobacco cessation, reach out to your primary care provider or contact the smoking cessation hotline at 1-800-QUIT NOW.

Vaping carries many of the same risks as smoking cigarettes and is alarmingly popular among teens as young as middle school