DOES VAPING FALL INTO THE SAME CATEGORY OF HARM AS SMOKING?

Vaping, in its entirety, has roots that go back to the beginning of time. Vaping was a form of smoking being used in Egypt during the time of the 5th century BC. The modern vaping version we’re familiar with today was developed later.

The concept of an electronic cigarette was first suggested in 1927 by Joseph Robinson 1927. Robinson filed a patent application for the device he called “Mechanical Butane Ignition.” However, it wasn’t until the late 20th century that the very first device that resembled an electronic cigarette of the present was created. The work of Herbert A. Gilbert, who developed the “smokeless non-tobacco cigarette” in 1963.

Despite the early innovation, the e-cigarette did not gain popularity then, in the year 2003. Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist, created the first successful commercial e-cigarette. The reason for his invention was personal: his father, a frequent smoker, died from lung cancer. Lik himself was an avid smoker and wanted an alternative to smoking.

E-cigarettes first appeared on the U.S. market in 2006 and have since grown into nicotine-based delivery devices and customizable devices that provide a variety of substances. Vaping has experienced a rise in popularity in the last decade, partly because of perceptions of it being healthier than traditional cigarettes. However, the health benefits of vaping remain being studied and debated.

It’s time to tackle an untruth about vaping and e-cigarettes are similar to smoking cigarettes traditionally. It’s not a fair version of the truth. Every year, 480,000 deaths occur due to smoking cigarettes, which is believed to cause numerous health problems like heart disease, cancer, lung diseases, stroke, and diabetes, to name a few.

If you’re unsure about the comparative harms of smoking e-cigarettes versus cigarettes traditionally, let’s look at the health risks that come with both. Through comparing the two and analyzing the distinct differences in the amount of known health risks in these two ways of doing things.

Based on the findings of Dr. Michael Blaha, director of clinical research at the Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease, Vaping is less hazardous than smoking cigarettes; however, it’s not entirely risk-free. E-cigarettes can heat nicotine (extracted from tobacco), flavorings, and other chemical compounds to produce an aerosol you inhale. Regular cigarettes comprise 7000 chemicals, a majority of which are harmful. We don’t yet know the chemical composition of vaping; there’s the same certainty that smoking vaping exposes one to less toxic chemicals than smoking traditional cigarettes. ^1..

However, there has been an increase in lung-related injuries and deaths linked to vaping. In February 2020, it was reported that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) verified the existence of 2,807 cases of e-cigarette or vaping use-related respiratory injury (EVALI). The cause of death was attributed to 68 deaths due to this condition. “These cases seem to mostly affect people who alter their vaping equipment or opt for illegally modified e-liquids. This is especially the case for products that contain THC,” explains Blaha ¹.

To decrease your chance of suffering adverse health effects, stopping smoking is the best option. ^2..

Following the point we left off, let’s look into the similarities and differences between smoking cigarettes and vaping, chemical composition, use methods, and health impacts.

In terms of the method used, they both require inhalation; however, smoking involves burning tobacco, and vaping utilizes devices to heat liquid to create the form of vapor. This fundamental difference in burning versus heating contributes to distinct dangers to health.

Smoking cigarettes is a significant cause of severe health issues, including heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, and chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). It’s also the primary reason for preventable deaths across the globe.

However, vaping is a relatively new phenomenon with long-lasting health consequences that aren’t yet wholly comprehended. But, studies suggest it is to be less harmful than smoking cigarettes. A report from Public Health England stated that E-cigarettes are believed to be 95 percent less harmful than smoking cigarettes.

ARE E-CIGARETTES ARE NOT HARMLESS?

However, vaping isn’t entirely risk-free. E-cigarettes are associated with lung damage, and new studies have suggested adverse effects on respiratory and cardiovascular health. In addition, the high levels of nicotine found in some e-cigarettes may result in addiction, particularly for young people.

ARE VAPING CIGARETTES CONTAIN THE SAME DANGEROUS CHEMICALS AS CIGARETTES?

E-cigarettes, or electronic cigarettes, warm a liquid into an aerosol that users inhale. The drink typically contains flavors, nicotine, and other chemicals. Let’s take an analysis of what the elements include:

1. Nicotine Nicotine is the substance that causes addiction to tobacco. Most e-liquids contain nicotine, but the amount of nicotine can vary.
2. Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerin (VG) are the essential ingredients in E-liquids. They’re generally considered safe according to the FDA to be consumed, but the effects of inhaling them for a long time are not fully understood.
3. Flavorings There are thousands of different flavors that are available in electronic cigarettes. Although they are usually edible and safe to consume, it’s not unclear what happens when heated and inhaled.
4. Other contaminants and metals A few studies have discovered trace amounts of various metals and other pollutants in the e-cigarette vapor, which is likely to come directly from heating elements and other components in the unit. This could include nickel, lead, cadmium, and Tin.
5. VOCs: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Some electronic cigarettes have been discovered to emit VOCs, including formaldehyde, car, olein, and acetaldehyde, particularly at high power levels.
6. Particulate Matter Aerosols from e-cigarettes comprise tiny-sized particles that may be breathed deep into the lungs. The effects on health are not entirely known.

Although e-cigarettes usually have fewer hazardous chemicals than cigarettes of the traditional variety, they aren’t 100% safe. The long-term health risks associated with using electronic cigarettes are being investigated. The composition of e-cigarettes will differ significantly between types of brands, so it’s essential to know exactly the ingredients you’re inhaling.

In conclusion, although vaping seems safer than smoking cigarettes, it is not ultimately safe. It is necessary to conduct more research to comprehend better the long-term consequences of tobacco vapes on health. As a medical professional, I would suggest smokers not start any habit and also for smokers to seek medical advice if they are considering alternatives or ways to quit smoking. People must make informed choices based on solid sources and scientific proof.