Users still face numerous health concerns even though many vaping products typically only have approximately half the nicotine present in cigarettes.

In recent years, vaping has become one of the most popular ways to consume tobacco and marijuana. However, like with anything, fame increases awareness of potential threats.

A “vape,” also known as an electronic cigarette, is a device that heats a liquid to produce vapour that you inhale. Pens, e-cigarettes (such as JUUL), and hookahs are examples of vaping devices. While vaping appears to be a healthier alternative to smoking cigarettes, However, like with anything, fame increases awareness of potential threats.

How Does Vaping Work?

Vaping equipment is available in a wide range of colours, sizes, and shapes. By heating up a liquid that occasionally contains flavourings and other chemicals, devices create an aerosol byproduct that, at least initially, makes vaping seem less painful than smoking. Nicotine, marijuana, or other substances can be administered through a mouthpiece that is inhaled into the lungs and exhaled through the mouth or nose.

Vaping Health and Safety Risks

While many of these products contain liquid that contains one-third to half the nicotine found in a cigarette (for example, one 5% strength JUULpod is designed to replace an entire pack of cigarettes), vaping still poses numerous health and safety risks.

According to a recent CDC study, nicotine, a stimulant that can harm the developing adolescent brain (which continues to grow until approximately 25 years of age), is found in many however it isn’t often noted on the label of e-cigarettes.

• Using nicotine during adolescence can damage parts of the brain that control:
• Learning
• Mood
• Attention
• Impulse control

The formation of synapses—the connections between brain cells—is impacted by nicotine usage. Regular use during adolescence can also raise the chance of developing a cigarette or other substance addiction in the future.

In addition to nicotine, vaping liquid and subsequent vapor may contain other harmful substances, such as:

• Cancer-causing chemicals
• Nickel, tin, and lead are heavy metals
• There is a chemical linked to lung disease called diacetyl in flavorings
• Volatile organic compounds
• Pulmonary particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs

The impacts of vaping are still being intensively studied by scientists, particularly in relation to Vitamin E acetate, a substance that is added to some vape liquids to assist dilution. As of December 17, 2019, there were over 2,500 instances of users being hospitalised for vaping-related injuries. Additionally, 54 people have died from vaping in 27 states and the District of Columbia.

Who is Vaping?

The National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) statistics from 2018 shows that 3.6 million middle school and high school students use e-cigarettes. Use, which is defined as using at least once per day over the previous 30 days, increased by 78% from 11.7 to 20.8 percent in 2018.

Middle and high school students have increased their overall tobacco usage by 29% and 38%, respectively, as a result of the growing popularity of e-cigarettes among young people.