E-cigarettes vapes are a relatively new tobacco product that have been sold in the U.S. for about a decade Thee-cigarettes / vapes currently in the U.S. marketplace have not been systemically reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration to determine their impact on lung health. While much remains to be determined about the lasting health consequences of these products, the American Lung Association is very troubled by the evolving evidence about the impact of e-cigarettes / vapes on the lungs.
The Inhalation of Harmful Chemicals Can Cause Irreversible Lung Damage and Lung Disease
In January 2018, the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine1 released a consensus study report that reviewed over 800 different studies.
That report made clear: using e-cigarettes / vapes causes health risks. It concluded that e-cigarettes / vapes both contain and emit a number of potentially toxic substances. The Academies’ report also states there is moderate evidence that youth who use e-cigarettes / vapes are at increased risk for cough and wheezing and an increase in asthma exacerbations.
- A study from the University of North Carolina found that the two primary ingredients found in e-cigarettes / vapes—propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine—are toxic to cells and that the more ingredients in an e-liquid, the greater the toxicity.2
- E-cigarettes / vapes produce a number of dangerous chemicals including acetaldehyde, acrolein, and formaldehyde. These aldehydes can cause lung disease, as well as cardiovascular (heart) disease.3
- E-cigarettes / vapes also contain acrolein, a herbicide primarily used to kill weeds. It can cause acute lung injury and COPD and may cause asthma and lung cancer.4
- Both the U.S. Surgeon General and the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine have warned about the risks of inhaling second-hand e-cigarette / vapes emissions, which are created when an e-cigarette / vape user exhales the chemical cocktail created by e-cigarettes / vapes.
- In 2016, the Surgeon General concluded that second-hand emissions contain, “nicotine; ultrafine particles; flavourings such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to serious lung disease; volatile organic compounds such as benzene, which is found in car exhaust; and heavy metals, such as nickel, tin, and lead.”
- The Food and Drug Administration has not found any e-cigarette to be safe and effective in helping smokers quit. If smokers are ready to quit smoking for good, they should talk with their doctor about finding the best way to quit using proven methods such as clinical hypnotherapy.
References:
- NAM Report – https://www.nap.edu/resource/24952/012318ecigaretteConclusionsbyEvidence.pdf
- Sassano MF, Davis ES, Keating JE, Zorn BT, Kochar TK, Wolfgang MC, et al. (2018) Evaluation of e-liquid toxicity using an open-source high-throughput screening assay. PLoS Biol 16(3): e2003904. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.2003904
- Ogunwale, Mumiye A et al. (2017) Aldehyde Detection in Electronic Cigarette Aerosols. ACS omega 2(3): 1207-1214. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.6b00489].
- Bein K, Leikauf GD. (2011) Acrolein – a pulmonary hazard. Mol Nutr Food Res 55(9):1342-60. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201100279.
In recent years, vaping has emerged as a fashionable alternative to traditional smoking, luring in countless individuals, including teenagers and young adults. However, behind its sleek and enticing façade lies a host of dangers which we should be aware of.
Below are a few of the alarming hazards of vaping and emphasise the urgent need to be informed and vigilant.
Misleading Appeal & Hidden Harm: Vaping products portray a glamorous image, luring users with various enticing flavours and sleek designs. Yet, beneath the allure there is an unsettling truth: these devices expose users to hazardous chemicals, including nicotine and ultrafine particles, which wreak havoc on our respiratory system and overall health.
The Nicotine Quandary: Vaping solutions frequently contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can hook users, especially youngsters, with the very first puff they take. The risk of nicotine addiction threatens to create a new generation of individuals hocked to this harmful habit, impacting their cognitive development and future choices.
Respiratory Roulette: When vapor fills our lungs, our delicate respiratory system faces an onslaught of damage. Vaping has been associated with severe lung injuries, leaving people who vape with a condition known as “vaping-associated lung injury” (VALI), causing respiratory distress and even life-threatening consequences.
Gateway to Cigarette Smoking: Studies suggest that vaping might serve as a gateway to traditional smoking, undermining efforts to reduce smoking rates. The allure of vaping among young users can transition into a desire to explore conventional cigarettes, intensifying the health risks and the burdens on society.
Long-Term Effects: Vaping is relatively new and trendy. The long-term effects of its chemical concoctions remain largely unknown. The uncertainty surrounding the lasting consequences of vaping raises legitimate concerns, urging us to treat these products with caution.
The Stealthy Marketing Tactics: Vaping companies employ aggressive marketing strategies, often targeting vulnerable populations, including teens and non-smokers. These marketing tactics require proactive regulation to safeguard public health and protect the next generation from falling prey to these dangerous products.
Vaping may seem like a modern, harmless trend but the dangers lurking within its alluring façade are all too real. The risks of addiction, respiratory harm and a potential gateway to smoking, demand our collective attention and action.
As individuals, parents, educators and policymakers, it is imperative that we confront the vaping epidemic head-on. Let us empower ourselves and others with knowledge, regulation and support to break free from the grips of this stealthy peril and safeguard the well-being of all.
EFFECTS OF SMOKING ON OUR HEALTH
In today’s fast-paced world, stress, strains and anxiety have become part of living in the 21st century. Unfortunately, some of us resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms like smoking.
While smoking may provide temporary relief, the long-term consequences of smoking are nothing short of catastrophic.
Here are just some health conditions that are a direct result of smoking.
Our Respiratory System – Perhaps the most well-known consequence of smoking is its detrimental effect on our respiratory system. Smoking damages our lungs and airways, increasing the risk of chronic conditions such as bronchitis and emphysema – now called COPD. Breathing in the harmful chemicals found in cigarettes leads to a gradual decline of lung function, making it much harder to breathe.
Our Cardiovascular System – Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease and cardiovascular issues. The toxic substances in cigarette smoke promotes the buildup of plaque in our arteries, narrowing our blood vessels and thus restricting our blood flow. This sets us up for potentially fatal conditions like heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral artery disease.
Our Cancer Threat – Lung cancer is undoubtedly associated with smoking, but it’s not the only one. Smoking is linked to a heightened risk of developing various types of cancer, including mouth, throat, oesophageal, pancreatic, bladder, kidney, and stomach cancer. The carcinogens in tobacco smoke damage our DNA, including those parts of our DNA that protects us against cancer, and thereby the increased likelihood of cancerous cell growth.
Our Oral Health – Smoking takes a severe toll on oral health, causing problems like stained teeth, bad breath and gum disease. It weakens our immune system in our mouth, which makes it easier for bacteria to flourish and lead to serious issues like tooth loss, gum disease and oral cancer.
Our Immune System – The chemicals in cigarettes not only harm our respiratory and cardiovascular systems but also suppress our immune system. This makes smokers more susceptible to infections and illnesses, and more often than not it takes smokers longer to recover from common ailments like colds and flu.
Our Reproductive System – Smoking can cause fertility issues in both men and women. In women, it can lead to reduced fertility, early menopause, and an increased risk of miscarriage. In men, smoking affects sperm quality, leading to potential fertility problems. Smoking during pregnancy can have adverse effects on the developing foetus, increasing the risk of premature birth and low birth weight.
The adverse effects of smoking are numerous and far-reaching. From our respiratory system to our cardiovascular and immune systems. In fact, no organ is spared from the harmful and devastating impact of smoking. The good news is that stopping smoking can significantly reduce these risks. It’s never too late to stop and the body actually begins to heal from the damage caused by smoking within 20 minutes of you having your last cigarette.
Here are some factoids on how the body begins to repair itself from immediately stopping smoking and onwards
20 MINUTES AFTER QUITTING
- pulse rate
- blood pressure;
- the temperature of your hand and feet become normal
8 HOURS LATER
- blood oxygen increases to acceptable norms;
- the carbon monoxide levels go down.
24 HOURS LATER
- the chance of a heart attack declines noticeably
48 HOURS LATER
- improved ability to smell and taste;
- nerve endings start to regrow
2 WEEKS TO 3 MONTHS LATER
- walking becomes easier;
- circulation shows improvement
- lung function attains a 30% gain.
1 YEAR LATER
- excess risk of smoking related heart disease drops by 50%
2 YEARS LATER
- insurance companies insure you as a non-smoker making premiums lower
5 YEARS LATER
- lung cancer death rate drops almost in half
10 YEARS LATER
- lung cancer death rate becomes the same as that of a non-smoker
15 YEARS LATER
- the danger of heart disease is the same as that of a non-smoker
If you or someone you know is struggling to stop smoking, help is at hand – don’t wait until it’s too late – get help now