Many people are worried about the health risks of vaping. It is partly due to scaremongering news and negative press.

Vaping involves inhaling a mist of water vapor, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, and different flavorings. It is a far better alternative to smoking, linked to many negative short and long-term health consequences, including lung damage.

It is a healthy alternative

There are many myths about vaping – it has often been portrayed as more harmful than smoking, but that is untrue. Vaping can be 95% better for you than smoking, and it can help you quit for good.

Vaping involves using a battery-operated device to inhale and exhale the vapor. This vapor is made from a liquid solution, sometimes called ‘e-liquid’ or ‘vape juice.’ The liquid itself contains a mixture of chemicals, including nicotine. Vaping devices heat the e-liquid to create an aerosol inhaled into the mouth, throat, lungs, and nose.

The liquid inside the e-cigarette contains many chemicals, including nicotine, which is very addictive. It also contains propylene glycol, a chemical known to cause cancer and other health problems. When you vape, this chemical is absorbed into the body and goes down your throat, back of your lungs, and esophagus.

Nicotine is a neurotransmitter that activates multiple ‘feel-good’ pathways in the brain, which results in a waterfall of dopamine. It can cause addiction, and is why most smokers keep returning to cigarettes despite all the health concerns. That is why it is so important to research and not believe what you hear in the media or from friends and family.

It is safer than smoking

Cigarettes emit thousands of harmful chemicals into the air, and they cause a wide range of health issues for smokers, including lung disease and cancer. Tobacco is not burning in e-cigarettes, so they do not release those dangerous chemicals into the air.

E-cigarettes heat a liquid called e-liquid to create an aerosol you inhale. This liquid usually contains nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, and flavors. The lack of combustion means that your lungs are not exposed to the chemicals that come with smoking, and it also does not leave your breath with a foul smell that sticks to your clothes.

In addition to avoiding toxic fumes, vaping can be less harmful to the people around you, as second-hand smoke does not contain any chemicals in cigarette smoke. It is important to remember that e-cigarettes are not without their risks, however. For example, nicotine is an addictive substance, and non-smokers best avoid it.

It is also worth noting that although the legal age to buy cigarettes has been raised to 21, some underage people can still access these products. It is particularly concerning as it is known that underage nicotine use can lead to long-term addiction behaviors. Therefore, more regulations must curb this issue and protect young people from these risks.

It is an excellent way to quit

It can be hard to quit if you have smoked for a long time. Nevertheless, vaping can make it easier. It delivers nicotine without the chemicals and compounds in cigarette smoke. In fact, according to OHID (formerly Public Health England), vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking.

Nevertheless, it is not all good news. The liquid inside vapes, known as “vape juice,” is NOT water. It is an aerosol of various chemicals, including propylene glycol, which, when inhaled, can make its way into the lungs. From there, it can irritate lung tissues and cause damage. It can also be absorbed through the skin. The flavorings in these products can irritate the throat and lungs as well. Furthermore, the vapor can contain heavy metals like tin and lead.

Another concern is that vapor can cause wet lungs, leading to severe lung diseases like emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The wet lung is characterized by stabbing pains in the chest, coughing, and difficulty breathing.

For those considering quitting smoking or vaping, it is best to go “cold turkey.” Stock up on carrot sticks, sugar-free gum, or lollipops to help you through the cravings.

It is not addictive

Aside from nicotine, e-liquids often contain ingredients that are unhealthy for you, like formaldehyde, diacetyl, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These chemicals can trigger lung damage and even cause cancer. In addition, many incidents of vaping device batteries exploding, leading to severe injuries and burns.

In addition, many people who vape are hooked on the sensation of inhaling and exhaling vapor. This feeling keeps them returning to vaping and is one of the main reasons that makes it so hard for smokers to quit.

Nicotine is addictive because it triggers changes in the brain that make you want more and more of it. It is so addictive that it has been called a “gateway drug” that can lead to other more dangerous substances, such as heroin and cocaine.

It is essential to understand that addiction is not just about nicotine but also about emotions and coping. For example, ice cream may help you feel better when stressed or sad, triggering the release of feel-good hormones. If you use vaping to cope with uncomfortable emotions, you will become dependent on it and need it to feel normal again.

The youth vaping epidemic is a real problem, and we must take action to protect young people. It is essential to spread accurate information about vaping and stop using misleading rhetoric, baseless health risk claims, and outdated teen vaping data to justify bans on vape products.