Knock Out Nicotine: Dangers of Vaping You have probably heard of vaping or know someone who vapes, but do you know how it actually works? Vaping is inhaling aerosol, or airborne particles, from battery-powered devices known as e-cigarettes. The aerosol typically contains nicotine, as well as other chemicals and flavorings. Though a variety of e-cigarettes are available, they all work similarly. When in use, the device heats up a liquid that is vaporized and inhaled. You have probably heard of vaping or know someone who vapes, but do you know how it actually works? Vaping is inhaling aerosol, or airborne particles, from battery-powered devices known as e-cigarettes. The aerosol typically contains nicotine, as well as other chemicals and flavorings. Though a variety of e-cigarettes are available, they all work similarly. When in use, the device heats up a liquid that is vaporized and inhaled. How it Harms Health The ultrafine particles within e-cigarette aerosol can reach deep into your lungs and expose you to harmful substances that cause cancer and severe lung disease. One example is e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury (EVALI), a serious condition that can result in death. E cigarettes may also contain heavy metals, such as tin, nickel and lead. The person vaping and anyone nearby who breathes in the secondhand vapor is at risk of inhaling these chemicals. Another risk to consider is nicotine, a highly addictive chemical that can harm brain development. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, sometimes in large amounts. When nicotine enters your body, it increases your heart rate, blood pressure and breathing. Vaping can increase your risk of addiction to nicotine and other drugs. Direct contact with e-cigarette liquid can also be dangerous. Swallowing or absorbing e-liquid through the skin has caused nicotine poisoning in children and adults. Special Populations E-cigarettes are especially harmful to developing babies and those under the age of 25. Vaping while pregnant may cause premature birth or low birthweight in newborns. For teens and young adults, nicotine can affect the brain processes involved in attention, learning, mood and impulse control. This may increase risk of becoming addicted to nicotine and using other tobacco products. What If I’m Trying to Quit Smoking? Though e-cigarettes may help some people quit smoking regular cigarettes, vaping is not safe and can still harm health. Vaping devices are not FDA-approved smoking cessation aids. To learn more about quitting options recommended by the FDA, click here. The long-term health effects of e-cigarette use are unknown. Anyone who does not currently use tobacco products should not start vaping. If you are trying to quit smoking, opt for strategies proven to be safe and effective instead of e-cigarettes. References CDC – “About Electronic Cigarettes” American Cancer Society – “What Do We Know About E-Cigarettes?” American Heart Association – “Is Vaping Better than Smoking?” Harvard Health – “ Can vaping damage your lungs? What we do (and don’t) know” NIH – “ Vaping Devices (Electronic Cigarettes)”
