Individuals worried about the negative effects of smoking traditional cigarettes might turn to e-cigarettes to manage their nicotine cravings. Even though vamping is often viewed as the healthier option, new research has revealed concerning evidence suggesting this simply isn’t true. Here’s what you need to know about vaping and what it means for the health of your lungs.
Quick Read:
Is vaping the healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes? The truth is this habit can cause irreversible damage to the lungs. Research has found e-cigarettes to be addictive and toxic, linking it with an increased risk of COPD and lung cancer. Check out the full story to learn more about the dangers associated with vaping.
Know These E-cigarette Facts Before You Pick Up Vaping.
1. Vaping is Addictive
No matter the form of consumption, nicotine is an addictive substance. This means that dropping traditional cigarettes for vaping won’t cure a nicotine addiction.
More importantly, perhaps, is the understanding that an addiction to nicotine can be created by e-cigarettes. Why is this so important? Since vaping is generally viewed as a safer or healthier option, teens may be more likely to give it a try with fewer worries of the long-term consequences. This could create a lifelong smoking habit, opening them up to chronic health conditions.
2. Vaping Could Trigger COPD
Individuals with a smoking addiction may turn to vaping when their health requires them to make a change. The hope is that e-cigarettes will be less triggering of COPD symptoms.
Unfortunately, this assumption has been proven false. A 2016 study published in Thorax observed inflammation and damage to lung tissues in mice exposed to vaping fumes for one hour each day for four months.
3. E-liquids Are Toxic
Vaping isn’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, leaving many users in the dark about what they’re inhaling and the effect it could have on their health. Recently, however, researchers found a method to better monitor the contents of e-liquids.
Ultimately, their research published in Methods and Resources was focused on the method in hopes the FDA could easily test products. However, in analyzing their method, it became clear that propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, commonly used as a base for e-liquids, become toxic to cells when consumed in high concentrations. They also found other commonly used ingredients, such as vanillin and cinnamaldehyde, to be associated with high toxicity.
4. Vaping Could Cause Lung Cancer
Individuals turning to e-cigarettes in hopes of reducing their lung cancer risk should know they may not being doing themselves any favors. In fact, vaping pens typically contain a chemical known as acrolein, which has been found to be dangerous to lung health.
Molecular Nutrition & Food Research reported this herbicide can be linked to lung damage that may cause COPD, asthma and lung cancer.
For those addicted to smoking, it is better to give it up for good instead of replacing it for another vice. Quitting isn’t easy, but a visit with your doctor is a good first step toward breaking this harmful habit.
~ Here’s to Your Healthy Ascension!
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