What is a vape?

Vaping refers to using the small device on your hand (like mods, e-cigarettes as well as mods) to take in a vapor of nicotine as well as flavors (e-liquid). Vaping is similar in many ways to smoking the traditional cigarette but vaping is heating tiny particles from a liquid instead of smoking tobacco.

What is the process of vaping?

Vaping involves heating the liquid inside a tiny device that allows you to take it in your lung. Vape pen, electronic cigarette or any other device for vaping is able to heat the liquid inside the device, causing an aerosol. It’s not water or vapor. The mist that comes from electronic cigarettes has nicotine-based particles as well as flavors and other chemicals that are suspended in the air. The particles are blown into the mouth through the mouthpiece and they travel through your throat before entering your lungs.

What is an e-cigarette (vape pen)?

A digital cigarette (e-cigarette) can be described as a gadget that is used to heat the nicotine in liquid form and also flavoring so that you can breathe it into. There are numerous varieties of electronic cigarettes, which are known under many names including vapes, vape pens, hookahs, e-hookahs and sticks, mods, and personal vapers (PVs). They may also be described as electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).

The majority of electronic cigarettes have:

• Tank, cartridge or a pod which holds the liquid (can can be refilled).
• An element of heating that transforms the liquid into air-breathable particles (aerosol also known as “vapor”).
• An electric battery for an element for heating.
• The power or control button (some can be controlled by sensors that are activated when you breathe in).
• A mouthpiece that lets you breath in the airborne aerosol.

What’s the distinction between smoking cigarettes and vaping?

Vaping and smoking involve smoking nicotine and other compounds to the airways. Electronic cigarettes heat liquids to create an aerosol. Smoking cigarettes burn tobacco to create smoke.

Vaping is more dangerous than smoking cigarettes?

Vaping is usually considered to be safer as smoking cigarettes. However, vaping is a health risk also. Both smoking and vaping can be addicting and can introduce harmful chemical substances into the body. The concentrations of a lot of these substances are higher in the case of smoking cigarettes. The use of tobacco hasn’t been around for in the long run enough to determine what long-term harm it can create.

What happens to the lungs of vapers?

The dust you inhale when smoking cigarettes can trigger swelling (swelling) along with irritation of your lungs. It can cause lung injury, such as scarring and shrinking of the lungs that transport air into and out of the lung. Scientists aren’t aware of how much impact vaping could affect the body.

Doesn’t it seem like vaping is just water vapor?

No. Contrary to what you might think it doesn’t create water vapour. The result is the aerosol (or mist) with tiny bits of nicotine, metal, and others harmful elements.

What’s the content of E-liquid (e-juice)?

E-liquid, sometimes referred to as E-juice or Vape Juice is the vape juice used for making the vapor the air you breathe. E-liquids don’t only contain water. They typically comprise:

• Flavoring. Each flavor has specific ingredients.
• Nicotine is an poisonous and addictive substance found used in cigarettes and tobacco products.
• Propylene glycol, as well as glycerin, are which are used to produce vapour.

The flavors and e-liquids can contain different ingredients, such as:

• Chemicals which could create cancer ( carcinogens) include formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and formaldehy.
• Chemicals which are believed to trigger lung cancer, for example diacetyl, acrolein, and diacetyl glycol.
• THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the chemical in marijuana that gets you “high.”
• Vitamin E acetate is connected to lung damage due to vaping (EVALI for more information, click here).
• Heavy metals such as lead, nickel, tin and Cadmium.
• tiny (ultrafine) particles can be absorbed into the lungs.

BENEFITS / RISKS

What are the risks of smoking marijuana?

Vaping can cause the damage to your lung or other organs and breathing disorders, addiction and many more. We tend to see smoking vape as “safer” as smoking cigarettes, but it’s certainly not secure.

Vaping problems can be caused by:

• asthma. Vaping can make your more prone to develop asthma or other lung ailments. Vaping can also make existing asthma even worse.
• Scarring of the lungs. Diacetyl, a chemical that is used in some flavors, may result in an obliterant bronchiolitis (“popcorn lung”). Bronchiolitis obliterans can cause permanent scarring on your lung.
• Organ harm. In addition to the lungs, nicotine as well as other components in e-liquids could harm your brain and heart. It is well-known that nicotine may harm the brain’s formation, raise your blood pressure and block the arteries.
• EVALIL (e-cigarette or vaping the use of which can cause lung damage). EVALI is one of the most serious lung conditions which vaping can cause. The condition causes extensive lung injury and can cause symptoms such as breathing problems, coughing and chest discomfort. EVALI could be fatal.
• Addiction. Nicotine is highly addicting. The effects of nicotine alter your brain that cause you to want to take in more and more nicotine. It’s possible that you won’t be able stop smoking at any time, even when it begins creating health issues. Even the e-liquids which claim to be nicotine-free contain small quantities of nicotine.
• Smoking cigarettes. Many people start smoking vapes and then eventually smoke cigarettes, with higher levels of toxic chemical compounds.
• Secondary exposure. Vaping doesn’t make smoke but those in your vicinity are exposed the chemicals and nicotine when you smoke.
• Explosions. There have been cases of vape batteries devices that explode, causing serious burns and injury.
• cancer. Some ingredients in liquids e-cigarettes can trigger tumors.

What exactly is EVALI?

EVALI is an acronym for e-cigarette (also known as vaping), a products that cause lung injuries. This is a serious lung disease due to vaping. Vitamin E Acetate, which is that is found in many e-liquids could be a reason.

The outbreak of EVALI during the latter half of 2019 and into early 2020 left many thousands of people into the hospital. A total of 68 patients died. Since the time, EVALI cases have been dropping, though those who smoke cigarettes can be affected by EVALI.

In the case of those who had been treated for severe EVALI The majority of them had a younger age and were using THC-containing vapes through non-official sources (online and family members or friends). But, EVALI can happen in any person who uses the THC or nicotine-containing vapes.

Signs and symptoms of EVALI can include:

• Cough.
• Breathlessness.
• Chest pain.
• Fever.
• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Stomach pain.
• Fast heartbeat.

What are the possible side consequences of smoking vape?

The short-term effects that vaping can cause are:

• Coughing.
• Breathing shortness.
• Eye irritation.
• Headaches.
• The mouth is dry and itchy and throat.
• Nausea.

What are the benefits from smoking vapes?

There’s a chance that the advantages of smoking vapes are that it’s secure or it aids in quitting smoking. Many people use vaping because they believe that it can help them quit smoking, especially if they’ve tried different methods but aren’t able to stop. However, it’s possible that you’ll get hooked to smoking cigarettes instead and so the positives from vaping to quit smoking could not be as beneficial as they may appear. Vaping isn’t a benefit in the event that you do not already smoke.

Many people believe that vaping isn’t so bad as smoking cigarettes however the smoke the air you breathe contains nicotine as well as other toxic chemicals. It’s not safe to vape and may result in health issues, such as dangerous lung injuries.

Are your lungs healed after vaping?

A few lung injuries caused by vaping may heal or improve with medication. Some, like lung scarring, can last forever. In time, continual irritation to the lungs may cause health issues (like asthma as well as COPD) which will never go away. completely.

Can vaping kill you?

In certain instances, yes there is a chance of dying from inhalation injuries that smoking cigarettes causes. As an example, 68 individuals were killed in the outbreak of vaping-related illnesses (EVALI) in the years 2019 and 2020.

Do you think it is safe to use vape during pregnancy?

It’s not recommended for you to use vapes while you’re expecting. Vaping exposes your body to some similar chemicals to those cigarettes inhale. Vaping during pregnancy can lead to lower birth weight in the fetus, lung damage, as well as brain damage to the growing baby.

Oft asked questions

Does vaping help you quit smoking?

Vaping isn’t a valid means to quitting smoking cigarettes. The methods that are approved include nicotine patches, inhalers and lozenges and chewing gum. Even though vaping may aid in quitting smoking however, it’s unlikely to aid in quitting nicotine completely.

A recent study found that around 18% of those who changed to vaping have successfully quit smoking. This is about two times as many individuals as those who employed different methods for quitting smoking. But, around 80% of smokers who had quit used vape. If they tried different techniques, 91% quit smoking nicotine completely.

What can I do to stop vaping?

Quitting smoking vaping is like cutting down on smoking cigarettes or adhering to a particular diet plan or other behavior you wish to alter. The process isn’t going to happen in a single day, but it is possible to create a strategy that will help you on the path:

• Set goals even if it means cutting down on the amount of vaping slowly.
• Set a quit date. Be sure that it’s not too far off or in the same way as it could be a stressful time.
• Consult a doctor and/or therapist, or a school counselor regarding quitting. They will help you create a the right plan for you, and provide assistance throughout your journey.
• Consult your doctor, therapist or school counselor for free ways to quit using online, texting and mobile apps.
• Inform your family and friends of that you are planning to stop. They may be able to provide assistance and keep you accountable to follow through with your goal.
• Create a list of the reasons why you’d like to stop smoking. Take a look or think of it as you go through the entire process of getting rid of.
• Stay clear of temptations and triggers. Beware of situations that you usually smoke, or substitute the habit with another activity.
• Get exercise. Exercise not only keeps your mind from the urge to smoke, but it also can make you feel great.
• Be aware that you’ll experience cravings as well as some negative side consequences, such as headaches or anxiety. The chewing gum or patches of nicotine, or different medications may help you deal with cravings.
• Find a way to relax by practicing meditation, yoga, as well as deep, rhythmic breathing.

Note from the Cleveland Clinic

In terms of accessories and flavors The vaping experience can be attractive. However, it’s not quite so safe as it appears. It is well-known that nicotine and other components in e-liquids could cause harm to your body. We aren’t sure of the longer-term health issues vaping can result in. If you don’t vape, don’t start. If you require help to quit take heart that you’ren’t all on your own. You can find online sources, texts as well as phone applications that can connect you to real-life people who will assist you along the way to break the habit.