E-cigarettes use a battery to heat a liquid solution into an aerosol that you inhale. They can contain nicotine, propylene glycol, and flavorings. Some of these chemicals are harmful to the lungs.
The most popular e-cigarette is JUUL, which uses pre-filled pods containing nicotine salts. It has a market share of 51.7% in 2021.
What is an e-cigarette?
An e-cigarette is a device that heats liquid nicotine and flavoring to create vapor that you breathe in. It’s also known as an electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS). They come in a variety of forms, including devices that look like cigarettes, cigars or pipes. Others are small and resemble USB flash drives or pens.
Some e-cigarettes have removable cartridges filled with e-liquid, which you refill. Others don’t require refilling and use a tank or mod to heat the e-liquid and create vapor. E-cigarettes that contain flavored liquid may have flavors such as creme brulee and mango, which are popular among youth. These flavours can cause a variety of problems, such as lung damage from the chemical diacetyl and other respiratory irritants.
There’s no evidence that e-cigarettes are safer than smoking. Both bring harmful chemicals into your body and increase your risk of heart disease and cancer. They may also cause lung damage, such as scarring and narrowing of the tubes that bring air in and out of your lungs.
E-cigarettes are harmful for youth and young adults
The vapor produced by e-cigarettes can contain chemicals that are toxic to human cells. Exposure to these chemicals can cause lung damage and increase the risk of infection. Studies also show that vapor can damage the DNA of cells. This damage can lead to cancer and other health problems. In addition, vapor can trigger the immune system to release inflammatory molecules that can cause asthma. It can also reduce the body’s ability to fight bacterial and viral infections.
Nicotine exposure during adolescence can harm parts of the brain that control attention, learning and mood. It can also change the way brain connections – or synapses – are formed. This may make it harder to quit smoking later in life.
E-cigarette use is especially dangerous for youth and young adults. Non-smoking youth who use e-cigarettes are more likely to try conventional cigarettes in the future. Manufacturers of e-cigarettes aggressively target youth by marketing their products in places they spend their time, including school bathrooms and online.
E-cigarettes can help people quit smoking tobacco
Researchers are still working to understand how well e-cigarettes can be used to help smokers quit. Studies of the devices are complicated by the fact that they include different hardware, deliver varying levels of nicotine and other chemicals, and expose users to potentially harmful metals such as cadmium, nickel, and tin.
Some studies have found that e-cigarettes can be helpful for some smokers during a quit attempt, but others have not. For example, a 2019 study found that daily use of e-cigarettes was associated with lower success in quitting than those who did not use e-cigarettes during their quit attempt.
It is important for people who are trying to quit smoking to use proven methods of cessation. Talking to a health care provider or therapist about their quit plan can help. This can include setting a quit date and planning for how to get support from friends and family. It is also important to stick with the plan and not go back to regular cigarettes. Quitting is one of the most important things you can do to improve your health and protect yourself from tobacco-related diseases, including 14 types of cancer.
E-cigarettes are not safe for pregnant women
Nicotine is a potent stimulant that can cause damage to the developing fetus. E-cigarette aerosols can also contain harmful chemicals, metals and flavors that are not good for pregnant women or their babies.
Studies show that cigarette smoking and vaping increase the risk of problems with pregnancy, such as low birthweight and premature delivery. Smoking also increases the chances of an oral cleft in infants.
It is recommended that women who smoke try to quit before becoming pregnant, using licensed Nicotine Replacement therapy products. Despite the uncertainty about the safety of e-cigarettes, women who continue to smoke should use them only in limited situations. The safest option is to stop smoking combustible cigarettes altogether and to avoid nicotine during pregnancy. This is the best way to protect both mother and baby.電子煙