In recent years, electronic devices such as vapes, e-cigarettes, and vaporizer pens have been widely marketed as alternatives to tobacco, perfect for those looking to cut down or gradually quit smoking.
These devices are essentially battery operated and emit a vaporized solution, which contains nicotine that is inhaled. Simply put, electronic cigarettes offer the sensation of inhaling tobacco smoke, minus the smoke.
Most people believe that vaping is better and healthier compared to smoking cigarettes and in fact, the vape industry prospers on this misconception. Studies have shown that vape liquids are not free from dangerous chemicals and vaping forces chemicals, as well as toxins into your lungs.
In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the vaping dangers, their side effects and also look at some of the alternatives to vaping.
What Happens When You Vape?
When you smoke a cigarette, the tobacco combusts producing fumes, which are inhaled. Vaping is similar to cigarettes when you think about how it is orally consumed, just that no combustion takes place.
In the case of a cigarette, the smoke that is inhaled is from the burning tobacco, while vaping, which uses a vape pen or a mod (an enhanced version of a vape pen), the liquid in the vape pen, which is known as e-liquid or vape juice is heated and turned into vapor, which is then inhaled.
Harmful Effects of Vaping
Vaping is extremely addictive and according to research, over 90% of vape users find it hard to quit the habit after vaping for a year. A lot of this is because the nicotine levels in vapes are equal to, or even more than, what traditional cigarettes contain. For example, a JUULpod contains nicotine equivalent to a pack of regular cigarettes.
Typically, vape juice consists of a blend of nicotine, formaldehyde, diacetyl, propylene glycol, flavorings — all dissolved in an oil-based liquid.
While vapes do not contain tobacco, they still contain nicotine, which is not only addictive but also has several health risks associated with cigarettes and other kinds of tobacco-based products. Some of the side effects of vaping include health problems such as:
- Lung Injury: Studies show that vaping causes severe lung disease and lung injury, known as EVALI. Vaping also causes health issues in people who don’t vape if they are around people who do via second-hand vaping.
- Heart Disease: A study by Stanford School of Medicine revealed that vaping can increase the risk of heart disease in people because the e-liquid contained in the vape when inhaled affects the endothelial cells present inside the blood vessels. When the endothelial cells are exposed to the e-liquid, it can cause cellular death and DNA damage. In fact, it has been seen that vaping increases the risk of heart attack by 55%, coronary heart disease by 25% and stroke by 30%. And, it was also seen that the severity of damage caused varied according to the flavor, with menthol and cinnamon being the most harmful.
- Seizures: Studies have revealed that vaping can increase the risk of seizures and in fact, there have been instances of teens and young adults suffering from seizures because of vaping. According to the FDA, it was reported that seizures occurred even after a few puffs or one day after use.
- Reproductive Health: Studies show that the nicotine and chemicals contained in vapes can put fertility in women at risk and vaping when pregnant can cause developmental abnormalities in the baby.
Does Vaping Cause Cancer?
Vape juice contains a cocktail of substances that can be quite harmful and many of the chemicals present in the vapor that is inhaled are known to be cancer causing, especially if the vaping liquid is loaded with flavor.
The vapor contains carcinogenic substances such as acrylamide and propylene oxide. The vapor may also contain formaldehyde if the vape liquid gets overheated or if sufficient liquid does not reach the vape’s heating element.
And, exposure to all these substances can increase the risk of cancer. The heating coils in the vape device usually use iron, nickel and chromium (nichrome) alloys, aluminum and chromium and also traces of tin, zinc, copper and silver.
The microparticles of these metals can get into the vape vapor, which can increase the risk of lung cancer. Second-hand vape vapor is dangerous too and contains several harmful substances such as diacetyl, nicotine, benzene, and ultrafine particles, which can harm the lungs.
Can Vaping Cause Lung Disease?
Vaping can affect your lungs and cause several types of lung diseases, the most common of which is bronchiolitis obliterans (BO), also known as popcorn lung. It is caused because of diacetyl present in vaping liquid which causes the bronchioles in the lungs to get inflamed.
Another lung disease to watch out for is lipoid pneumonia, causing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chronic cough, and coughing blood or mucus with blood. Vaping has also been associated with primary spontaneous pneumothorax or collapsed lung.
Now if you’re wondering, “can vaping kill you?”, the answer to that is not known yet. While vaping by itself may not kill anyone, the diseases caused by vaping such as lung diseases, lung injury or EVALI, cancer, heart disease, etc. may cause the death of people who vape.
Alternative to Vaping
As you can see, vaping has many harmful effects, and if you want your nicotine fix, minus the harmful effects of vaping, there are a few alternatives that you can consider. Nicotine gum, nicotine patches, and lozenges are all excellent aids to quit vaping.
Today, the market is flooded with products like tobacco-free chews and nicotine pouches. Tobacco-free chews contain nicotine and have the texture, taste, and smell of tobacco, offering the same experience as smoking, vaping or tobacco chewing, minus the harmful effects.
What are Nicopods?
Amongst the many tobacco and vaping alternatives out there, there seems to be a clear winner that outshines the rest — nicotine pouches. Also, know as nicopods, these products are small pouches filled with plant fibres, flavourings, and most obviously, nicotine.
The best part about these pouches is that they’re absolutely tobacco-free so you won’t have to deal with the harmful effects of smoking. Aside from this, nicopods are also stain-free and odour-free, leaving you with better oral hygiene than other tobacco-based products.
Easy-To-Use
Using nicotine pouches is fairly easy — all you have to do is place them between your inner lip and gum, to enjoy a steady release of nicotine and flavour.
These pouches come pre-portioned inside a tin can for an even distribution of nicotine. Furthermore, the material of the pouches is super soft and comfortable, which allows for better absorption of nicotine into your mouth.
Nicotine pouches are discreet and can be used anywhere and anytime. They are available in varied flavors and are an excellent way to get your nicotine kick along with great taste safely, without the harmful effects of tobacco.
Levels of Nicotine Strength
Nicotine pouch manufacturers understand that not everyone has the same nicotine tolerance. Some may prefer a milder concentration, while others may enjoy an intense and heady rush.
Depending on what you’re used to, you can opt for a stronger nicotine strength to suit your needs. Alternatively, you could also keep switching to a milder strength to ultimately quit nicotine altogether.
Variety of Flavours
Arguably, the most exciting part about nicotine pouches for many users is the wide array of delicious flavours. From citrus and fruity notes to chilling menthol and even liquorice — the sky’s the limit when it comes to nicopod flavours.
Finding unique flavours may be a little tricky if you’re looking in physical shops. Your best bet is to buy them online for a hassle-free experience.
Final Notes
While vaping is seen as a replacement for cigarettes and other tobacco-based products, it is as addictive as smoking and causes various health problems. Vaping is not a safer or healthier option compared to cigarettes as it is believed. Quitting vaping can be quite challenging but it is possible.
Today, nicotine pouches or nicopods are a less harmful way to get your nicotine fix. Nicotine pouches are tobacco- and tar-free, which eliminates carbon monoxide emission and also prevents your teeth from getting stained, discolored and also free of tobacco breath.
In short, nicopods are an excellent alternative to vaping and cigarettes and can be used anytime and anywhere too.