Some doctors believe that bans on nicotine-containing e-cigarettes, despite the fact that policymakers are trying to curb a rising youth vaping epidemic as well as cases of lung diseases caused by vaping, is a mistake.
In an editorial that appeared in the journal Science on Thursday, the group argues that “prohibitionist” measures could sabotage the efforts of smokers who are trying to quit smoking regular cigarettes and switch to electronic cigarettes. Public health experts from Columbia University, Emory University, New York University, and Ohio State University are part of the group.
This article contradicts what many public health officials in the United States and addiction experts have been saying in recent months: that vaping is not safe and that the only substance people should breathe in is air.
The American Medical Association and other major medical organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Heart Association, and American Lung Association, have urged anyone who vapes to stop.
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Vaping is not without risks, but the long-term effects of e-cigarettes are unknown.
NBC News reported that vaping is a “harm-reduction initiative” for adult smokers addicted to nicotine and not a “harm-elimination program,” according to Amy Fairchild. She is the dean of Ohio State University College of Public Health and one of the editors of the editorial.
The authors concluded that “restricting access to and appealing of less harmful vaping devices out of an excess of caution, while leaving deadly combustibles on the market, does not protect the public health.” It threatens to derail the trend that could hasten cigarettes’ demise, which is poised to kill a billion people this century.
Smoking cigarettes is responsible for more than half a million deaths every year in the U.S. There are 16 million Americans who suffer from tobacco-related diseases, including lung cancer, other types of cancer, heart disease, diabetes type 2, and chronic obstructive respiratory disease.
Fairchild and co-authors argue that e-cigarettes should not be used to quit smoking. They also say that there are two public health crises at present: the non-smoking teens who vape and the EVALI, or EVALI-related lung diseases.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 2,409 EVALI-related cases in the United States as of Thursday. Fifty-two people have died, and there are still more cases under investigation. The majority of patients who fell ill reported that they used products containing THC (the psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana). However, some said they had only vaped nicotine or flavored liquids before becoming ill.
Recent case reports link vapes with a number of health issues, including Hard-Metal Lung Disease and Chemical Burns.
Investigators are unable to identify a single cause for the illnesses. However, vitamin E acetate has reportedly been implicated. Some states have temporarily banned flavored vapes until more information is available. Trump’s administration may also be considering a federal-level ban.
Teen vaping scars his lungs so badly that he requires a double transplant.
Alarm about young people vaping nicotine should be raised. Fairchild stated that it is important to raise awareness about EVALI and deaths related to EVALI. We should treat this like any other outbreak and devote a lot of money and resources towards it. She added that regulation and safety standards are crucial to maintaining cessation aids for adult smokers.
Jeremiah Johnson of Glasgow, Missouri, at 43, credits electronic cigarettes with helping him break an 18-year tobacco addiction. Chantix is a drug used to stop smoking. However, the effects were only temporary.
He chose e-cigarettes because he “thought it was healthier” and didn’t want to smell like smoke. He has been free of combustible products for three years.
Johnson said he has developed breathing problems since he switched to vaping.
“I’m out of breath faster.” “It’s just stupid things like bending down to tie your shoes,” said he. “I shouldn’t be sneezing so hard because I did that.”
Johnson, however, said that he cannot blame his shortness of breath on vaping. He also noted that he has gained some weight over the past few years.
Johnson still said that vaping was not a solution for the long term. HeHe’sow motivated to stop using e-cigarettes after quitting regular cigarettes.
He told NBC News, “I” want to be smart and see my grandchildren someday.”
“the CDC also recommends that anyone who uses vaping products to replace regular cigarettes monitor themselves carefully for symptoms of vaping-related illnesses, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, fever, and coughing.
