Vaping has become increasingly popular among young people. That’s primarily because of its lower per-use cost and belief that it’s less harmful than traditional cigarettes. But vaping nicotine is not the safest alternative to smoking cigarettes as it poses serious health risks, especially among youth and young adults.
Vaping devices use e-liquids that contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can harm the developing brain. Vaping also exposes users to toxic chemicals and metals that may damage the lungs and increase the risk of respiratory illnesses. In February 2020, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) confirmed over 2,800 e-cig or vaping use-associated lung injury (EVALI) cases and 68 fatalities linked to the condition. EVALI cases are most evident among those who modify their vaping devices or use modified e-liquids.
Despite these risks, many young adults continue to vape. Most of them overlook or underestimate the effects of nicotine. And the marketing tactics don’t help either, as companies promote their products as a trendy, cool, and harmless activity. They also use candy, fruit, mint, alcohol, and food flavors that appeal to youth, increasing the risk of nicotine addiction.
Vaping involves inhaling and exhaling vapor produced by an electronic device called an electronic cigarette or vape pen. The device heats a liquid, called e-liquid or vape juice, which typically contains nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals, to create a vapor that is inhaled.
Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that stimulates the release of dopamine in the brain, which creates a pleasurable sensation. When a person uses nicotine repeatedly, their brain adapts to the increased dopamine levels and becomes dependent on it to function normally. This is what leads to addiction.
A National Youth Tobacco survey found that over 2 million middle and high school students used e-cigs in 2021. Sadly, 99% of e-cigarettes found in most places in the US contain nicotine. But these products don’t disclose that they contain nicotine. And even those who say they have 0% nicotine have been found to contain nicotine.
Nicotine harms the developing brain and can affect impulse control, mood, learning, and attention. It can also increase the risk of future addiction. Beyond addiction, here are some other scary vaping facts:
Most people ask, is vaping worse than smoking, or is vaping safe? Vaping is less harmful than smoking traditional cigarettes because it does not involve burning tobacco, which produces harmful tar, carbon monoxide, and many other toxic chemicals. However, it is essential to note that vaping still involves inhaling chemicals and potentially harmful substances such as nicotine, flavorings, and other additives. These substances can cause health issues such as lung damage, respiratory problems, and nicotine addiction.
E-cigarettes can be just as addictive as traditional cigarettes because many of them contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. In fact, some e-cigarette products may even have higher nicotine levels than conventional tobacco products. It is also worth noting that some e-cigarettes are designed to deliver nicotine more efficiently than traditional cigarettes, which can further increase the risk of addiction.
Despite being promoted as a smoking cessation tool, electronic cigarettes have not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a smoking cessation device. A recent study found that a majority of those who vape as a way to quit smoking ended up continuing to use both traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Besides, e-cigarettes can still deliver nicotine, a highly addictive substance that can make quitting smoking more difficult.
Many vaping devices can also be used with other drugs, including marijuana. A 2018 study found that 10.9% of college students had vaped THC in the past 30 days, an increase from 5.2% in 2017. Worse, other substances like methamphetamine, DMT, crack cocaine, and synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists can also be vaped. In 2016, the US Surgeon General cautioned that e-cig use among young adults is a significant public health concern in the country.
Nicotine withdrawal symptoms are physical and psychological symptoms when people who smoke tobacco or vape stop using. Symptoms usually peak within the first few days after quitting and can last several weeks or months. However, the severity and duration of symptoms can vary from person to person. Some common nicotine withdrawal symptoms include:
Impacts of Vaping on Adolescents and Strategies for Preventing Youth Vaping
As mentioned earlier, nicotine exposure during adolescence can affect brain development, including attention, learning, and mood regulation. It may increase the risk of addiction to nicotine and other substances later in life.
Preventing youth vaping requires a multi-faceted approach, which may include the following:
Managing nicotine withdrawal can be challenging, but some strategies can help alleviate symptoms and increase the chances of quitting smoking or other nicotine-containing products. Here are some ways to manage nicotine withdrawal:
It is also essential to seek professional help when trying to manage nicotine withdrawal, especially for individuals with a history of addiction or other health conditions. A healthcare professional can provide guidance and support, prescribe medications or nicotine replacement therapy, and help develop a personalized quit plan.
Cigarette smoking has been linked to cancer, diabetes, lung disease, COPD, tuberculosis, and other health complications. It’s also responsible for over 480,000 deaths annually in the United States. Given the dangers, many people have opted to vape or use e-cigs like JUUL to ease the transition from traditional cigarettes to not smoking at all. But is vaping a safer alternative to smoking?
Several studies have shown that while vaping is less harmful than smoking, it’s still not safe. Vaping can damage your lungs and airways and has been linked to cancer. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also found that some vaping products contain harmful chemicals, including metals that can be toxic.
To reduce the number of people affected by these health risks, the FDA is reviewing e-cig products to ensure they are “appropriate for the protection of public health.” The manufacturers of vaping products must prove their products are an aid to traditional adult smokers and not appealing to youth and teens. This explains why the FDA has proposed a ban on all JUUL products.
On July 5, 2022, it issued marketing denial orders (MDOs) to JUUL Labs Inc. for all its products currently marketed in the US. This MDO prevents the company from continuing to sell its products in the American market. JUUL should also remove all of its products from the market or face enforcement action.
The reason is that after reviewing JUUL’s premarket tobacco product applications, the FDA established that the application did not have enough evidence to support a finding that the products are “appropriate for the protection of public health.” As the FDA puts it, there are scientific issues unique to the JUUL application that warrants additional review.
According to the FDA’s news release, the insufficient and conflicting data in some of JUUL’s study findings raised concerns that haven’t been properly addressed and prevented the FDA from executing a complete toxicological risk assessment of the said products on the JUUL application.
The FDA has yet to receive evidence to suggest that JUULpods or devices are hazardous. However, the underlying factor is that there isn’t adequate evidence to support a finding that the products are appropriate for the protection of public health. Besides, there’s no way to determine the potential dangers of using JUUL pods with a non-JUUL device or third-party e-liquid pods with a JUUL device.
The FDA is encouraging JUUL users to report any adverse effects they may have experienced after using the product through the Safety Reporting Portal and seek medical help.
JUUL is a type of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) that is battery-operated and looks like a USB drive. It was first introduced in 2015 by two Stanford graduates, James Monsees and Adam Bowen, who are also the co-founders of JUUL Labs. The company is based in San Francisco, California.
The vaping device works by heating a nicotine liquid, which creates an aerosol vapor. JUUL says its e-cigarette is a “satisfying alternative” for adult smokers who want to switch from traditional cigarettes. The company also claims its products are not meant for youth or non-smokers, as nicotine can be addictive and harmful. However, their products come in different flavors – like mint, mango, and crème Brulee, which appeals to the younger audience.
A JUUL pod contains 0.7mL of nicotine liquid, equivalent to a pack of cigarettes or 200 puffs. The JUUL device delivers a high dose of nicotine, which is why it has been criticized for being especially addictive.
Vaping is dangerous because it increases your risk of lung cancer, lung infection, and other health problems. It is especially dangerous for young people. The nicotine in e-cigs (e-cigarettes) is highly addictive, and can harm the developing brain. Youth vaping is considered dangerous for several reasons, including:
Vaping exposes users to a range of harmful chemicals, including nicotine, metals, and other toxins which are harmful to health. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that e-cigarette users had significantly higher markers for heart damage and inflammation levels than non-users.
They also had higher levels of lung inflammation. This suggests that vaping may be harmful to your cardiovascular and respiratory health. It may also increase your risk of developing chronic (long-term) diseases such as heart disease, lung disease, and cancer.
Vaping can be addictive, especially for teens still developing their brains. The nicotine in e-cigarettes can be particularly addicting, and this can lead to health problems down the road.
Research has shown that teens who vape are more likely to start smoking cigarettes in the future. This is likely due to the fact that vaping can act as a gateway to smoking, as it normalizes the behavior and makes it seem less risky.
Electronic cigarettes, or ecigs aren’t the best smoking cessation tool. In fact, they may even make it harder to quit smoking in the long run. A recent study found that most people who used e-cigs to quit smoking ended up using both e-cigs and traditional smoking. So if you’re trying to kick the habit, it’s best to steer clear of e-cigarettes altogether.
E-cigarettes are becoming increasingly popular among young people, who are attracted by the flavors and the perceived lack of health risks. But this means that more young people are taking up smoking and becoming addicted to nicotine. This is a major concern, given the long-term health risks associated with smoking.
Vaping may be harmful to your health, and it’s certainly not the best way to quit smoking. And with more young people taking up vaping, we could be facing a public health crisis down the line. If you’re struggling with an addiction to nicotine, it’s important to get help from a doctor or treatment center. There are many resources available to help you quit, and you don’t have to go through it alone.
