If you are transitioning from cigarettes to vaping, you might have gone online to do your research. Of course, you would be overwhelmed with the plethora of opinion pieces and advice circulating on the internet regarding vaping. Still, the truth is that vaping remains a blurry topic.
Suppose you have decided to transition to vaping from smoking cigarettes and are holding back because of all the misinformation available online. In that case, you might want to broaden your search. These common myths might be putting you off from quitting smoking. So, we are debunking some of the most common myths about vaping to help you make an informed decision.
Vaping is As Harmful as Smoking
For decades, we have heard about the negative health consequences of smoking. As a result, many individuals believe that nicotine is solely responsible for addiction. Nicotine is an addictive substance, yet research suggests that it has little impact on one’s health.
In reality, the hundreds of chemicals in cigarette smoke cause almost all harm caused by combustible tobacco. In a vape device, no combustion occurs, so there are no such things as tar or carbon monoxide in the vapor.
Public Health England (PHE) has maintained that e-cigarettes are about 95 percent less harmful than smoking. So all that fear around visiting vape shops and becoming a vaper has been overly exaggerated.
Second-Hand Vapor is Harmful
Another common myth about vaping is that the vapor emitted from e-cigarettes is just as harmful as second-hand smoke from tobacco cigarettes. But it’s not what you think. Cigarette smokes thousands of chemicals, including many that are toxic. The air is filled with these chemicals when someone is smoking. So the people near might inhale them, which is why second-hand cigarette smoke is so dangerous.
On the other hand, E-cigarette vapor does not contain these harmful chemicals. According to research conducted, several hazardous substances in vapes were undetectable or well below safety thresholds. While this doesn’t mean that you should start vaping indoors, it does suggest that the risks posed by second-hand vapor are much lower than those posed by second-hand smoke.
Vaping is a Gateway to Smoking Cigarettes.
The most widespread misunderstanding about vaping is that it leads to smoking cigarettes, especially among youngsters. However, there is a lack of proof that backs this assertion. Studies have found that e-cigarette use is associated with a reduced risk of smoking cigarettes. One study claims that daily e-cigarette users are 28 percent less likely to smoke cigarettes
Another published study claims that individuals who used e-cigarettes were more likely to quit smoking than those who did not. These findings suggest that e-cigarettes may be a way for people to reduce their smoking rather than a gateway to smoking.
Vaping is Addictive
While it’s true that vaping can be addictive, it’s essential to understand that not all forms of nicotine are equally addictive. For example, the nicotine in cigarettes is more addictive than the nicotine in e-cigarettes because it is delivered more quickly to the brain. In addition, cigarettes are smoked, allowing the nicotine to enter the body through the lungs and directly into the circulation. In contrast, nicotine is absorbed more slowly through the mouth and throat lining when you vape.
This difference in absorption rate means that people who smoke cigarettes are more likely to become addicted than those who vape. So E-cigarettes are indeed less habit-forming than cigarettes, but they can still be addicting.
If you’re worried about becoming addicted to nicotine, plenty of options can help you. There are also several non-nicotine e-cigarettes on the market that can help you transition away from nicotine entirely.
Vaping Causes Popcorn Lung
What is popcorn lung anyway? Popcorn lung is the nickname for bronchiolitis obliterans. It is a rare but serious condition that affects the smallest airways in the lungs. The symptoms of popcorn lung include coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
The condition got its nickname because it was first discovered in workers exposed to high levels of chemicals used to flavor microwave popcorn. One of these chemicals, called diacetyl, has been linked to the development of popcorn lung.
So, does vape cause popcorn lung? There is no direct evidence that vaping causes popcorn lung. However, some e-cigarette liquids do contain diacetyl. In addition, there have been a few reported cases of Popcorn Lung in people who vape.
It’s important to note that the levels of diacetyl in e-cigarette liquids are much lower than the levels found in cigarette smoke. For example, the level of diacetyl in e-cigarette vapor was more than 97 percent lower than the level found in cigarette smoke, according to a study published in PLOS One.
So, while it’s possible that vaping could cause popcorn lung, it’s much more likely that smoking cigarettes will.
Vaping Products Aren’t Regulated
When vaping first became popular, there were very few regulations on e-cigarettes and other vaping products resulting in a lot of uncertainty about the safety of these products. However, in recent years, several laws have been put in place to ensure the safety of vaping products. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has regulated e-cigarettes since 2016.
The FDA requires all e-cigarette products to be registered and undergo a premarket review process. This process ensures that new products meet particular safety and quality standards. In addition, the FDA has also banned the sale of e-cigarettes to minors. So, while it’s true that the FDA didn’t regulate vaping products in the past, they are now subject to strict safety and quality standards.
Bottom Line:
In conclusion, vaping is not as hazardous as smoking. It may even be a helpful tool for people trying to quit smoking cigarettes. However, it’s important to remember that vaping is not risk-free. There are some potential risks associated with vaping, and more research is needed to understand these risks entirely. If you’re worried about the hazards of vaping, speak to your doctor or other healthcare professionals. They can assist you in weighing the risks and benefits of vaping and determining if it is suitable for you.
