Electric cigarettes, also known as vapes are a growing trend in teenagers and young adults. It is also popular amongst people trying to quit traditional cigarettes as they do not contain any tobacco, although they contain nicotine.
Since it is still relatively new, there is not enough research to determine the specific effects and side effects of vaping yet. However, various publications state that although vaping is less harmful than smoking and is not known to cause cancer, it is still harmful to the human body. According to Healthline “One thing is clear: There hasn’t been enough research on the general health risks of vaping or whether it can increase your chances of developing certain diseases,”
Medical News Today claims that “while vape products can reduce the amount of tar and other chemicals a person inhales, they can increase a person’s nicotine dependency.”
It is believed that vaping can be used as a way to quit smoking traditional cigarettes, however, e-cigarettes have not received Food and Drug Administration approval as smoking cessation devices. According to Hopkins Medicine, “most people who intended to use e-cigarettes to kick the nicotine habit ended up continuing to use traditional and e-cigarettes.”
The risks of vaping and smoking are similar and have similar negative effects on the body such as damage to the lungs and increased cancer risk as well the irritation of the throat and mouth. The severity of these effects differs, with smoking having more severe effects.
Furthermore, according to Healthline, certain vape products contain diacetyl, which is a chemical that has been linked to the development of popcorn lung, a condition involving permanent scarring to your airways.
“E-cigarettes tend to contain lower levels of harmful chemicals. If you currently smoke cigarettes, vaping can reduce your exposure to these chemicals and potentially decrease your cancer risk. But if you don’t currently vape or smoke, using e-cigarettes may increase your cancer risk.”
The research on the long-term effects of vaping is yet to be conducted, therefore it is difficult to know exactly which is more dangerous than the other. “There is, however, growing evidence that vaping may have equally ill effects on the heart, lungs, and mouth.” state researchers at Medical News Today.
