Tobacco smoking has been around for ages. Some estimates date it as far back as the 16th century. However, it wasn’t until the 20th century that people began to realise the negative effects that tobacco smoking was having on their health.
It is no secret how tobacco cigarette smoking can destroy the body. From bronchitis, lung cancer to stoke, tobacco smoking eventually takes its toll on the body. The Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) estimates that close to 8 million deaths recorded annually can be traced to tobacco smoking. And this includes both passive and active smokers. In the United States alone, close to 500,000 deaths each year are tobacco-related.
There have been concerted efforts to reduce if not eliminate tobacco smoking in the last century. However, getting people to stay off smoking has not been easy because tobacco contains a highly addictive substance known as nicotine.
A Brief Background of the Vaping Industry
The vaping industry, in essence, began in the early 2,000s. Over the last decade, however, it has made significant gains. For instance, in 2011, only 7 million people were using vaping devices. By 2018, that number had grown exponentially to 41 million.
A vaping kit works by converting liquids into vapour using a heating element. This allows people to smoke without smoke and the harmful effects of traditional cigarettes.
Compared to traditional cigarettes that house over 7,000 chemicals, vaping juice contains substances like nicotine, vegetable glycerine and water. Even the nicotine levels can be adjusted to suit the user.
There are a number of benefits associated with vaping. First of all, it allows addicted smokers a relatively safer route to transition into a tobacco-free life. Additionally, vaping kits are cheaper than traditional cigarettes. Who wouldn’t want a safer and cheaper alternative?
Unfortunately, all is not well in the vaping industry. A recent outbreak raised the alarm and caused industry watchers and users alike to panic. Two thousand cases of illnesses were found to have been caused by the use of vaping devices leading to a probe by the CDC. The CDC found that the presence of vitamin E acetate had led to the thickening of THC, a psychoactive part of marijuana. This, in turn, caused the break out of illnesses.
The FDA has subsequently recommended that users avoid products that have THC. It has also recommended that specific target groups, including non-smokers, pregnant women, and teenagers, avoid vaping if they haven’t started. Despite these measures, the FDA has come under criticism for poor regulation and not doing enough to forestall such outbreaks.
Is Vaping More Dangerous than Smoking?
If you’re a smoker, you know that quitting is easier said than done. If you’re not, talk to any smoker, and you’ll realise it takes more than a remark. The level of addiction to nicotine can cause withdrawal symptoms such as cold turkey.
With vaping, the user can withdraw gradually until the person is entirely free from it. Vaping kits are designed so that the levels of nicotine can be adjusted.
Typically, a vape juice contains four ingredients: nicotine, vegetable glycerine, propylene glycol, and flavouring. The level of these substances can be adjusted based on the preferences of the user.
The danger with being able to adjust ingredient levels is that while some people may opt for low levels of nicotine, others can choose higher levels, thereby reinforcing their addiction. Because of how tricky vape kits can get, you should only purchase the best vape kits. It would be good to talk to your medical personnel first.
What About Non-Nicotine E-cigarettes?
Aside from nicotine-infused vape kits, some e-cigarettes do not contain nicotine at all. They include vitamin vapes, energy vapes, essential oil vapes and even cannabis vapes.
While these alternatives are meant to provide a healthier option, they can be dangerous if not done well. For instance, essential oils, if heated beyond a temperature of 150 degrees, can become toxic. Cannabis vapes, while legal in some states in the US, are not legal throughout. There are also many fake options, and thus, you have to only buy from trusted and approved sources.
So, Vaping or Smoking?
There’s the big question. Should smoking continue or vaping be heralded as the better alternative? Well, vaping seems to win this one. The CDC observes that e-cigarettes can help smokers gradually transition out of their addiction until they are entirely free.
Some doctors recommend vaping as suitable for nicotine-replacement therapy. And over the years, many patients have testified of it as a better means of stopping smoking having tried other means.
There’s some research that suggests that vaping produces the same amount of cell damage as traditional smoking. However, this mostly has to do with the type of vapes products used. It would make a world of difference whether the products were purchased from a trusted seller or otherwise.
In Summary
There is a lot we know about smoking from years of research – especially about its negative effects on the body. When it comes to vaping, however, the research is scanty. There is a need for more research into vaping. This would help people know whether it is truly healthier as speculated. That’s why you should consult your medical practitioners first before going in for vaping products.