Vaping was introduced in the market on 2013 as an alternative or substitute for smoking cigarettes to help lessen the debilitating effects of it on our health. Since then, vape use has grown exponentially over the years.
Some of its users are those who quit conventional smoking, they have shifted and now become a regular vape user maybe due to its hype advertising. Alarmingly, minors are more inclined to try vaping and it was also reported that a high number of them are already a frequent user.
The vape industry has become popular worldwide in a short period of time because it is perceived as a safer and cheaper alternative from cigarette smoking. Vape product sales growth have increased tremendously and it led to a drop of cigarette use.
However, even though vaping is said to be less harmful than smoking, it still pose a threat to vape users’ health due to the presence of some chemicals in the vapor liquid such as:
- Nicotine – The addictive chemical that gives the user the desire to want more. When people have high nicotine level, they are already addicted to smoking.
- Propylene Glycol (Vegetable oil) – It is a chemical substance used to absorb extra water and maintain moisture in certain medicines, cosmetics, or food products. It is a solvent for food colors, flavors, paint and plastics. This substance can enter our bloodstream once we breath air containing mist or vapor from this compound. It may also enter our bloodstream through our skin if we have direct contact with it.
- Vegetable Glycerol – is a thick and syrupy liquid that is derived from vegetable oil and this may cause skin irritation if used excessively.
- Acetaldehyde – it is a flammable substance that is being used to produce perfume, acetic acid and others and it is proven to be carcinogenic once inhaled.
- Nitrosamines – these chemical compound are used to produce cosmetics, pesticides and rubber products and are known to be carcinogenic as well.
Aside from the fact that there isn’t really a substantive nor extensive research of the effects of vape use, several adverse effects have already been recorded. It is still wise to lessen, refrain, or quit smoking and vaping altogether.
Heart and lung problem
Just like conventional smoking, vaping has an effect on our heart as it damages our blood vessels and increases our adrenaline level which puts too much stress on our heart. In the same vein, it makes us prone to have lung problems like asthma, bronchitis or popcorn lungs.
Although most would say that vaping or e-cigarette is less dangerous than smoking tobacco or cigarettes because there is no involvement of combustion process and only needs a vaporizer device in order to heat up the e-juices to produce vapor, but it still has an adverse effect on our health since it contains substances that may react negatively in our body.
Dry mouth
Vaping can cause dehydration that can lead to a dry mouth and other dehydration symptoms because the vapor has the ability to attract water molecules.
Caffeine overdose
Vaping tends to have negative reaction to people as they increase their coffee and other caffeinated drinks intake like tea and sodas, which may lead to anxiety and mood swings especially in the early days of vape use.
Allergies
We already knew that the liquid vapor use in e-cigarettes have propylene glycol and vegetable glycerol. These are chemical substances that can cause allergies on our skin or may enter into our bloodstream through our skin.