In a 2.5 billion dollar a year industry just in the United States, vapes (or e-cigarettes) are taking the country by storm. The unique and colorful styles along with all the different flavorings and additive choices that are out there, are a huge pull to the youth, as well as adults alike. In this blog, we will reveal some shocking facts about vaping, and what dangers are associated with using.
Risks
When vaping hit the market, it claimed to be a new way for traditional smokers to help quit smoking. Years later, The Food and Drug Administration have found no vape that was safe, and effective in helping smokers quit.
The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine released a consensus study report in January of 2018 after reviewing over 800 different studies. The results stated this: The usage of vapes causes health risks. These risks come from not on the ingredients in the vaping liquid, but also what is produced when its aerosol is inhaled and exhaled.
Ingredients:
- Propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin – These are the two main ingredients found in vapes. These are toxic to cells, and the more ingredients in an e-liquid, the greater the toxicity.
- Acetaldehyde, acrolein, and formaldehyde- These aldehydes can cause lung disease, as well as cardiovascular (heart) disease.
- Acrolein– a herbicide primarily used to kill weeds. It can cause acute lung injury and COPD and may cause asthma and lung cancer.
- Nicotine, ultrafine particles, and flavorings such as diacetyl– 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.
Vaping and Heart Disease
Our own Dr. Tanya Bogle joined AM Tampa Bay for a radio interview to discuss a study that came out about vaping and heart disease. The study grew endothelial cells, which are the cells that line the blood vessels. She said, “They exposed the cells to the vaporized nicotine and they showed damage in terms of inflammation and decreased wound healing. This is the first sign of cardiovascular disease.”
In another study that contained data form nearly 70,000 people that participated in a National Health Interview Survey in Oct 2018 by American Journal of Preventative Medicine, it was found that daily vape use nearly doubled a person’s chances of having a heart attack. Daily traditional cigarette smokers tripled their chances of having a heart attack. If you did both traditional and vaping, it increased five-fold. Here’s why:
- Both cigarettes and vapes release ultrafine particles and other toxins into the body that can damage blood vessels and promote blood clotting, both of which can lead to heart attacks.
Start by Stopping
The risks associated with the use of nicotine whether it be in vapes or traditional cigarettes, are truly preventable. Get informed by visiting the various websites that are dedicated to informing you about the risks, how to stop smoking, and how to reduce your nicotine exposure.
Talk with your doctor about smoking cessation and other options that are a right fit for you. If you are a parent of a teenager that is smoking or vaping, check out this tip sheet for some great ideas on how to prepare and start that conversation. What ever cessation choice you choose, know that you are taking the first step to a longer, healthier life.
At ForCare, we are committed not only to working with patients to find current treatments that will deliver the most impactful results, but also in working to develop new treatment options through clinical studies. If you, or your loved one are interested in learning more about our clinical studies, click HERE to learn more.
References:
https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/knowtherisks.html
https://www.lung.org/stop-smoking/smoking-facts/impact-of-e-cigarettes-on-lung.html
https://www.lung.org/assets/documents/stop-smoking/impact-of-ecigarettes-on-lung.pdf
https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/e-cigarettes-boost-the-risk-of-heart-attack
