Many adults who smoke continue to use both cigarettes and e-cigarettes (known as dual use), and research shows that this may suppress efforts to quit smoking entirely. E-cigarette vapor contains a cocktail of harmful chemicals including nicotine, carcinogens, heavy metals and volatile organic compounds.
Compared to November 2014, in June 2023, fewer people who smoke thought that e-cigarettes were less harmful than cigarettes, more believed they were equally harmful and more were unsure. Perceptions deteriorated across all social grades and age groups.
What is E-Cigarette?
An e-cigarette is a battery-operated device that turns a liquid into an aerosol for you to inhale. The liquids in e-cigarettes contain nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine and flavourings. The devices, also called electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), or simply vapes, can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some e-cigarettes look like regular cigarettes, cigars or pipes while others have a more modern design that looks more like writing pens, highlighters or USB flash drives, and may be known as e-hookahs or vape pens. Some larger devices, called tank systems or mods, don’t look at all like tobacco products.
The vapor produced by e-cigarettes contains nicotine, as well as heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, ultrafine particles, cancer-causing chemicals and flavoring that can cause lung disease and other health problems. In 2019, experts linked a flavouring called diacetyl to a severe lung disease known as bronchiolitis obliterans (“popcorn lung”). The use of e-cigarettes is increasing among middle and high school students, and appealing flavours are one reason for this increase.
E-Cigarette Health Effects
Despite claims from e-cigarette manufacturers, the health effects of vaping are not proven.
E-cigarettes use a battery to heat a liquid, creating an aerosol that can be inhaled by users and people nearby. The vapor contains nicotine, volatile organic compounds and heavy metals, including nickel, tin, and lead. The chemicals in e-cigarette vapor can harm the developing brains of teens and children, and the fetuses of women who smoke while pregnant.
Long-term e-cigarette use impairs blood vessel function, increasing the risk of heart disease and other problems. People who switch to e-cigarettes from regular cigarettes may put off getting help or trying proven tools that can help them quit smoking.
In addition, studies show that combining e-cigarettes with traditional cigarettes significantly increases the risk of quitting. People who continue to smoke even a few conventional cigarettes in addition to using an e-cigarette are more likely to return to smoking later on. This could undo years of hard-won gains in curbing tobacco use.
E-Cigarette Safety
E-cigarettes (also called e-cigs, vapes or vape pens) are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid into an aerosol. They come in many shapes and sizes, and are often made to look like everyday products such as pens, USB drives, highlighting markers or colorful toy-like objects. These devices are popular among middle and high school students, and many believe they are safe to use.
The vapor produced by e-cigarettes contains nicotine, as well as harmful chemicals such as diacetyl, which is linked to lung disease; formaldehyde, which can cause heart disease; and ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs. The risk of second-hand vapor is also significant.
Research is just beginning to understand how these substances affect the lungs, but it is already clear that they are not harmless. And they are certainly not safe for youth and young adults, or for pregnant women. Nicotine exposure during adolescence and early adulthood can harm the brain, and studies have found that it is especially dangerous for developing fetuses. Did you know that you can get professional advise from the best smoke shop grayson ga?
E-Cigarette Legality
E-cigarettes are electronic nicotine delivery systems that heat a liquid solution to create aerosols inhaled by the user. The vapor can contain nicotine, as well as other chemicals that are harmful to users’ health. These liquid solutions, also known as e-liquids, can be purchased in hundreds of different flavors and are often targeted at youth through appealing flavor names and images.
In addition, some e-cigarette companies market their products through traditional outlets such as television and radio, despite bans on cigarette advertising. They also promote their products at recreational venues and events, and on the Internet.
State and local laws regulate the time, place and manner of e-cigarette marketing. For example, Illinois law prohibits the sale of flavored tobacco products to people under 21, including e-cigarettes and e-liquids. The law also prohibits vaping in places where smoking is prohibited, including residential common areas and workplaces.