E-Cigarettes and Vaping: Separate Fact from Fiction

Thanks to medical and scientific research, countless studies show that cigarette smoking can cause serious, long-term and potentially deadly damage to smokers’ long-term health. Groups like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Cancer Society have proven that the dangers of smoking include a higher likelihood of developing diseases such as lung cancer, COPD, and even heart disease.

Frequent cigarette smoking can negatively impact the health of loved ones as well, due to the severe effects of secondhand smoke. Because of these and other dangers, many smokers have turned to e-cigarettes to lessen the negative impact on their health and in many cases, to help quit smoking altogether. Kelly Andrews, OhioHealth Marion General Hospital Pulmonary Rehab Coordinator, says that although giving up smoking is a good thing, taking up e-cigarettes is an unproven, expensive and potentially dangerous way to drop the habit.

You Might Stay Addicted

“It’s advertised as less dangerous and safe, but the Food and Drug Administration is finding that tobacco companies who sell non-nicotine e-cigarettes indeed contain nicotine,” says Andrews. “Just like regular cigarettes, any product that contains nicotine has the potential to be addictive.”

E-cigarettes are indeed branded as having less nicotine, but Andrews says many of these products contain unreliable levels of the addictive chemical. Andrews has seen people make their addictions worse by adding e-cigarettes to the equation.

“A patient was dead-set on using e-cigarettes to quit smoking but ended up smoking more cigarettes instead,” says Andrews.

Turning a New Generation into Smokers

The popularity of e-cigarettes continues to grow, with many people thinking it’s much healthier than smoking cigarettes, leading teenagers and young adults to pick up an interest – especially in Juuls.

A Juul is a small e-cigarette device and looks almost like a USB drive. Not only does its small size make it more appealing to users, but Juuls come in a variety of flavors, such as mango and mint, making them more desirable than a traditional cigarette.

According to a survey conducted by Truth Initiative, nearly 800,000 teens between 15 and 18 years old have tried vaping for the first time in the past year. The Truth Initiative also mentioned that Juul pods contain more nicotine than any other brand – Juuls have 5 percent nicotine, while other brands have 1-2.4 percent.

Concerns have continued to grow over the years since Juul’s introduction to the public. In fact, the FDA recently placed a ban on the marketing and sales of Juul products based on their failure to meet public health requirements. Juul pushed back, issuing an emergency motion for a temporary hold as they try to appeal the ban. As the legal battle continues, it’s important to have the facts you need to make decisions about your own health.

Cancer Concerns

In addition to having potentially addictive chemicals, some e-cigarettes have chemicals that have previously been linked to cancer. As well, The American Lung Association noted six chemicals in e-cigarettes that can cause several problems, including lung disease, heart disease, COPD and asthma. Although e-cigarettes are not generally regarded as an effective or healthy method to kick a smoking habit, smokers still have options that Andrews believes are more reliable and better for them in the long run.

“Clinical evidence says that using nicotine replacement with professional counseling is an effective method for people looking to quit,” says Andrews. These replacement options include nicotine patches of which Andrews recommends one patch per pack of cigarettes smoked, or smoking cessation medications such as Chantix or Wellbutrin, which lessen the desire for chemical releases to your brain provided through cigarette use. In short, these options will decrease the need for the buzz that smokers get through cigarettes.

Benefits of Quitting

There are many reasons for smokers to quit, especially when considering the quick health benefits which include heart rate normalizing within 20 minutes of quitting and carbon monoxide levels dropping in the body within 12 hours, according to Andrews. Long-term benefits can continue for more than ten years after smoking cessation. Andrews’ advice is to quit but to use a safe, effective method while bypassing e-cigarettes.

“Studies have shown it’s just not an effective method to quit. It’s not evidence based.”

To join a six-week OhioHealth smoking cessation class taught by certified tobacco treatment specialists, visit our website. Find updated classes quarterly under the health and wellness section. You can also call 1-800-752-9119 to request additional information.