Is Vaping Safe? Here’s the Weird Truth

Before vaping became a thing, to get your dose of nicotine or marijuana you had to buy a cigarette, roll a joint or smoke the pipe. But since the introduction of vaporizers in the mid-2000s, vaping has quickly become the go-to method for smokers. So much that more than 9 million Americans now vape regularly.

To put this into perceptive, there are 37.8 million smokers in the U.S. In the next five to 10 years, it’s fair to say vaping will inch closer to this number.

The primary reason for this surge is the reported health benefits of vaping.

Is this fiction or fact? Is vaping safe?

Let’s investigate.

The Case Against Smoking

To understand why vaping is currently staging an invasion, you have to fully understand the consequences of smoking.

Sure, you certainly know that smoking harms the smoker’s health. But it’s not until you learn that smoking, including second-hand smoking, claims 480,000 lives every year in the U.S. It’s the leading cause of preventable death.

Even if you’re a diehard smoker, these numbers will send a chill down your spine. The possibility that every puff you inhale could be the one that sets off lung cancer, oral cancer or peripheral artery disease is scary.

And so when vaping was introduced and marketed as a less dangerous way to smoke, it’s only natural that many smokers switched.

So, are e-cigs a safer alternative?

Vaping and the Lack of Combustion

When you light up a cigarette, the tobacco undergoes a combustion process. This releases several tiny but harmful particles, such as nicotine, hydrogen cyanide, formaldehyde, and ammonia, all of which dissolve into lung fluids and blood.

On the other hand, vaping does not involve any kind of combustion. When you light up an e-cig, which usually contain a cartridge, battery and LED light, the e-liquid or e-juice in the cartridge heats up and produces vapor, which you inhale.

Obviously, the biggest question is: What’s in your e-liquid?

Right off the bat, it’s important to note that there is no conclusive answer to this question. Multiple studies are underway to determine the composition of e-liquid vapors.

However, common ingredients include:

• Nicotine – Responsible for the addictive nature of smoking
• Flavorings like cinnamon
• Propylene glycol – The Food and Drug Administration approves this for use in food and drug and cosmetic products.
• Glycerin – Also considered safe by the FDA.

Now, back in the mid-2000s when vaping was gaining popularity, most people believed they were harm-free, primarily because of the lack of sufficient research. And even though the field is still under extensive study, a few completed studies are already ringing alarm bells.

For instance, a 2016 study published in Environmental Science and Technology established that some e-liquid vapors do contain harmful substances, but at a much lower concentration than regular cigarettes. Another study by the John Hopkins Boomerang School of Public Health also confirmed the presence of toxic metals in e-cig liquids.

Does Lack of Extensive Vaping Regulation Mean It’s Safe?

In the U.S., an elaborate system of vaping regulation doesn’t exist. At least not yet.

Given the federal government’s duty to protect the people, does a lack of regulation mean it thinks vaping is safe?

Again, the primary reason behind this is the lack of conclusive studies on vaping. The fact that e-cigs are tobacco-free also helps.

Things are changing, though.

Already cities like Los Angeles, Boston, and New York have prohibited e-cigs. A couple of other cities are also planning action, a sign that perhaps vaping isn’t that safe, after all.

Oh, one more thing. You have to be over 18 to buy a vaping product. This is a federal regulation.

Other Potential Dangers of Vaping

Vaping can harm you in other ways other than (potentially) introducing carcinogens into your body. Here are a couple of them:

Addiction

Whether you’re vaping nicotine or marijuana, you need to know that both substances are highly addictive.

That’s right, addiction.

Is there anything positive that comes out of an addiction? Most of the time we hear stories of rehab, ruined dreams, and broken families.

And, it’s not just the nicotine or marijuana that drive the addiction. Vaping is a trendy thing. Cool if you like. Most people, especially teens, want to be seen vaping by their peers.

Once you’re addicted, the habit becomes a costly affair. Never mind you’re putting your health at risk.

Risk of Explosions and Fire

Any product with an electrical circuitry component carries a risk of exploding and catching fire. E-pen, e-pipe, e-cigs, and vaporizes are all battery-powered.

Just how common are fire incidents caused by vaping?

In the U.S., there were 195 vaping-related fires between 2009 and 2016.

Yes, this number isn’t alarming, but it’s essential to recognize the potential fire hazard these products pose.

To prevent such hazards, ensure your vaping equipment are of high-quality, maintain them regularly and don’t use them in pressurized environments. Also, it’s vital to keep updating your knowledge of vaping products. The more you know how they work, the more you know how to use them safely. https://soupwire.com is a reliable source of quality vaping information.

Is Vaping Safe? The Verdict

The only way to authoritatively answer the question “is vaping safe” is to compare it with regular smoking. Certainly, vaping is a safer alternative to smoking. If the question is asked independently, then no. Vaping can harm your health in more ways than one.

If you’re not a smoker, don’t go vaping thinking it’s safe. It’s only less harmful than cigarettes, that’s why health experts only recommend it to people who are already smokers.

So, that’s the weird truth. Be sure to explore our blog for more weird health truths.

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