Why More Smokers Are Switching to Vaping
Quitting a smoking habit is one of the hardest habits to break. Nearly ⅓ of all deaths from heart disease are the result of smoking and secondhand smoke. Studies show that just 8% of all people who attempt to quit smoking without the help of NRTs and other support systems are successful, highlighting the importance of finding practical tools to utilize in your journey. For some, this is in the form of e-cigarettes, commonly known as vapes.
Depending on your location and the laws surrounding the consumption and usage of nicotine products and vapes, you may need to consult with your primary doctor to establish how to get a vape prescription as a transitional tool to conquer your smoking habit for good.
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What are Vapes?
Vapes are electronic devices that allow you to inhale nicotine in the form of an aerosol or vapor as opposed to smoke. This is done by heating a flavored solution, commonly referred to as e-liquid, which typically contains nicotine, vegetable glycerine, propylene glycol, and flavorings.
These liquids are available in different nicotine strengths, allowing you to control how much nicotine you consume, as an essential feature when managing cravings and other withdrawal symptoms. There are multiple types of vape devices, including pens, pods, bars, and mods, which can be either disposable or rechargeable.
Smoking vs. Vaping
Tobacco cigarettes are one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in the world. They contain over 7000 highly poisonous chemicals and toxins, 70 of which are classified as aggressive carcinogens. Not only are traditional cigarettes strongly linked to numerous cancers, but multiple studies reveal their connection with several other serious health issues, including heart disease, emphysema, stroke, infertility, and a weakened immune system. Furthermore, secondhand smoke results in nearly 50,000 deaths per year.
In comparison, vapes are a slightly less harmful alternative to smoking as it doesn’t involve burning tobacco, but this does not mean they are completely safe to use. Despite common belief, vapes do not emit water vapor but a mixture of toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and ultrafine particles that, when inhaled, could potentially lead to lung disease and other serious health issues.
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Nicotine
Traditional cigarettes and nearly all vapes contain nicotine, a highly addictive stimulant drug that is known to carry many adverse health effects. It works by mimicking the naturally occurring brain chemical acetylcholine, triggering the release of various neurotransmitters, including dopamine, which is associated with pleasure and reward.
However, it is toxic to developing fetuses and a health danger for pregnant women. It poses unique hazards to youth as it can harm brain development, which typically continues until the age of 25. Nicotine can alter brain function, especially during adolescence, leading to issues surrounding attention, mood, learning, and impulse control. Additionally, acute nicotine exposure can be toxic and potentially fatal. This acute exposure occurs when children and adults are poisoned by breathing, swallowing, or absorbing vaping liquid through their eyes and skin.
Vape as a Quitting Tool
While nicotine is arguably the most difficult addiction to overcome when quitting smoking, many people struggle to let go of the routines and rituals associated with their smoking habit. It is often a fundamental part of their daily routines, a coping mechanism for stress and anxiety, or a shared activity they indulge in with friends.
Some people find that vaping helps to satiate the hand-to-mouth motion they associate with smoking, and a 2021 review found that smokers who used a nicotine-controlled vape alongside expert face-to-face support were twice as likely to succeed in quitting compared to those who used NRTs like gum, patches, and lozenges.
Vape bars, pod devices, and pens are good choices for those wanting to quit smoking altogether, as they are discreet to use, produce small vapor clouds, and are compatible with e-liquids that contain various nicotine strengths. When first starting with a vape, you need to select a nicotine level that matches your cigarette use, gradually decreasing this potency as your cravings become weaker and easier to manage. Consult with your GP or local stop-smoking service, who can guide you in making the best selection for your unique needs.
To get the full benefit of using a vape as a quitting tool, you must cease smoking cigarettes entirely. Some people manage to make the switch fairly easily, while others may take longer to adjust to it.
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Vaping Side Effects
Common side effects of vaping often include shortness of breath, headaches, mouth and throat irritation, coughing, and sinus issues. Should you experience any debilitating side effects, consult with your doctor or stop smoking adviser about how to proceed using a vape as a quitting tool.
On a more serious note, alongside the damaging effects of nicotine, people who vape are at risk of inhaling various toxins like diacetyl, cancer-causing chemicals, volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals. In addition, e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) is a new phenomenon that has developed as a result of vaping.
Vaping has not been around long enough to know the actual long-term health effects. While traditional cigarettes contain over 7000 chemicals, vaping liquid has around 2000, some of which are still unknown to experts. Despite the many unknowns, it is essential to understand that smoking of any kind exposes you to harmful ingredients that are unsafe for consumption, highlighting the importance of complete cessation as opposed to simply switching from one smoking device to the other.
