E-cigarettes, also known as e-cigs or vapes, are battery powered devices that heat liquid into a vapor to be inhaled. The vapor contains nicotine, flavorings, heavy metals, and cancer-causing chemicals. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the manufacturing, advertising, and sales of these devices. Scientists are still learning the long-term effects of vaping but have found health risks associated with using these products.
Nicotine is highly addictive and can cause harm to a developing brain in an adolescent. It can harm the parts of the brain that controls learning, attention, mood, and impulse control. Some e-cigarette labels do not disclose how much nicotine is in a product but have been found to have nicotine in them even if they are labeled, “no nicotine.”
Vaping can cause lung inflammation. This is due to the flavorings and stabilizers found in the liquid vapor. One chemical is diacetyl, which has been linked to serious lung disease. When someone vapes, the vapors are absorbed deep into the lung tissue along with heavy metals and volatile organic compounds. Vitamin E acetate is another concerning ingredient found in vapes that should be avoided due to its high risk of lung injuries.
E-cigarettes are just as addictive as smoking cigarettes and can lead to increased risk for an addiction to other drugs. Buying extra strength cartridges, which have a higher strength of nicotine, can cause a greater hit of nicotine in the body along with the unknown chemicals. However, a regular hit of nicotine, can cause a person to crave more of the smoke to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
With vaping growing in popularity, it is important to know the risks associated with inhaling these dangerous chemicals so that an individual can make the best-informed decision concerning their health.
Resources:
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/about-e-cigarettes.html
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/vaping-devices-electronic-cigarettes
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