Many parents are not aware of the dangers of vaping and the toll that it has on the body and overall health of children and teens. Over the last year, Mrs. Platt has spoken with many NDP students who have become addicted to vaping. After extensive research and reading, NDP's leadership is starting to detect the true harm that vaping causes. The smoking industry touts vaping as being safe. But here are a few facts:
10 SHOCKING HEALTH RISKS OF VAPING AND E-CIGARETTES
1. VAPING LOWERS THE BODY'S ABILITY TO FIGHT INFECTIONS
Researchers at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill examined scraped cells recovered from the noses of otherwise healthy participants who belonged to one of three groups: cigarette smokers, vape users, and a control group that neither vaped nor smoked. What they found was astonishing; both vape users and cigarette smokers showed signs of diminished immune systems. Vaping suppressed the immune system even more than regular smoking! This evidence suggests that compounds found in the liquid used to create the vapor have an immunosuppressive effect on the body.
2. CHEMICALS IN VAPE SMOKE CAUSES "POPCORN LUNG"
A group of Harvard researchers found that common flavoring substances found in vape liquid caused permanent, and sometimes fatal scar buildup in the lungs. These flavoring chemicals systematically destroy the lungs' smallest airways, resulting in a lung condition known as bronchiolitis obliterans, or "popcorn lung." This study also revealed that a majority of common vape flavors and compounds in commercial products contain these chemicals. Whether users purchase cheap disposable electronic cigarettes found in corner shops or industrial-sized expensive cartridges found in smoke shops, they are at equal risk for developing "popcorn lung" and it's dangerous implications.
3. LITHIUM ION-POWERED VAPES CAN BLOW UP
Kenneth Barbero of Albany, NY is one of several individuals who has been severely injured by the combustion of a vaporizer. In his interview with CNN, Barbero explains that the explosion ripped a hole in his tongue, burned his hands, and took out several teeth in the process. This explosion happened as a result of the overheating of a lithium ion battery used to power the e-cigarette. The powerful explosion could have killed him. As these larger vape cartridges and lithium-ion batteries become more prevalent in the vaping marketplace, we can expect an increase in dangerous situations like these if the means of administering this smoke is not altered or regulated more closely.
4. THE LEVELS OF NICOTINE ARE LOOSELY MONITORED
FDA lab tests conducted in 2009 not only found that vape cartridges labeled as "nicotine-free" contained traceable levels of nicotine, but the actual levels of nicotine in retail refillable cartridges across the board differed from their labels. In some newer "tank" style cartridges, the higher voltage of battery also delivered greater concentration levels of nicotine, increasing the likelihood of addiction.
One main area of concern for the World Health Organization, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and other authoritative health-related groups with regard to vaping is the fact that there are few current measures in place to regulate the levels of nicotine, in addition to other harmful substances.
5. ACCIDENTAL INGESTION OF VAPE LIQUID IS POISONOUS
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a press release in 2014 indicating that the number of calls into poison centers involving e-cigarette liquids was 215 times greater compared to 2010. The article further explains that this poisoning occurs in three ways: ingestion, inhalation, or absorption through the eyes and skin. An even more alarming finding showed that over half of these emergencies involved young children under the age of 5, one possible explanation being the candy and fruit flavor varieties of these substances that children might be drawn to. These liquids are also found to cause moderate to severe skin irritation when accidental exposure occurs, a legitimate concern for users who use refillable cartridges.
6. METAL PARTICLES ARE FOUND IN VAPE SMOKE
In one study, researchers measured the makeup of what they refer to as the "aerosols," or the chemical composition of the vape smoke. They found that metals such as tin, nickel, silver, iron, aluminum, silicate, and chromium were present in this vape smoke in levels equal to, or greater than the concentrations found in traditional cigarette smoke. These nanoparticles are known for penetrating deep into the respiratory system and reaching vulnerable sacks in the lungs, often causing irreversible damage and permanent scarring. Internal bodily exposure to these metals are also linked to risks for cancer and abnormal cell growth.
7. VAPES CONTAIN FORMALDEHYDE, OR EMBALMING FLUID
Oh, you know, that stuff that is used to preserve dead bodies over long periods of time? That's right. James F. Pankow, a professor of chemistry and engineering at Portland State University in Oregon, found that vaping 3 milligrams of liquid at a voltage commonly used in commercial vapes produced 14 milligrams of formaldehyde. These researchers estimated that a tobacco smoker would receive .15 milligrams of the same chemical per cigarette, or 3 milligrams per pack. This indicates that many vaporizers contain more formaldehyde than regular cigarettes, a chemical associated with cancer risks when inhaled.
8. PNEUMONIA IS A RISK FOR VAPE USERS
Lipoid pneumonia was found in a 42-year-old woman who had recently started using electronic cigarettes, causing the onset of her respiratory issues. This particular form of the pneumonia is caused by an inflammatory reaction to the presence of lipid substances in the lungs, or fat deposits found in lung tissue. Doctors linked the source of her infection to her recent exposure to the glycerin-based oils found in the compounds of e-cigarette vapor. After abstaining from e-cigarette use following her hospital visit, the patient's respiratory conditions improved considerably.
9. E-CIGARETTE USAGE IS LINKED TO DEPRESSION
At the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, researchers found a strong association between individuals living with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues, and the use of e-cigarettes. Their findings indicate that people who experience these conditions are three times as likely to be current users of vaping devices compared to individuals with no mental health conditions. Although these statistics are significant and certainly a cause for discussion, no direct causation was found in this study.
10. SOME SAFETY STUDIES ON E-CIGARETTES WRITTEN BY INDUSTRY EXPERTS
The Lancet, an England-based scientific publication, released an article warning that some scientific evidence indicating that vaping is safer than regular cigarettes are written by scientists funded by the vaping industry. They specifically called out Public Health England (PHE), who produced a press release shared by the BBC claiming that e-Cigarettes are up to 95% less harmful than tobacco. They found that the authors of this paper served as consultants to well-known and wealthy e-cigarette distributors. The article warns that three of the scientists hired to uncover the dangers of vaping that are directly funded by the E-cigarette industry, presenting an undeniable conflict of interest, in addition to the methodologically weak scientific evidence present in their studies.
COMMONLY ASKED VAPE QUESTIONS
IS VAPING BAD OFR YOU?
Vaping is undoubtedly bad for your health. Studies have proven that this habit lowers the body's ability to fight o! infections, essentially suppressing the immune system. Although the use of electronic cigarettes does eliminate many of the cancer-causing byproducts of burning tobacco, nicotine vaporizers still put users at risk of heart health problems. In fact, a study released by the Journal of the American Heart Association found that nicotine vaporizer smokers experience the same heart rate variability patterns associated with increased cardiac risk. In summary, the scientific community generally agrees that both the vapor e-cigarettes produce, and the nicotine most of them contain, are bad for your health. If you are trying to quit, you can start by asking your doctor about nicotine gum or patches.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECTS OF VAPING?
Many side effects of vaping are attributed to the vapor they produce, while some side effects are attributed to nicotine. Here are the side effects of vaping most commonly associated with the dehydration vapor causes:
· Dryness of the mouth
· Dryness of the eyes
· Dryness of the skin
· Dryness of the lips
· Sensitive or bleeding gums
· Cough and general throat irritations
· Headache
· Nosebleeds
· Dulled ability to taste food
HOW TO QUIT VAPING
Given the pretty serious health risks of vaping, many people who were once addicted to smoking cigarettes and used vaping as a means of quitting are now seeking a similar process to quit vaping. At the root of this problem is the nicotine addiction that keeps smokers returning to smoking habits that are difficult to break. Although breaking any habit is not easy, there are several methods that former e-cigarette smokers have used to help them quit.
GRADUALLY REDUCE NICOTINE CONTENT IN E-JUICE
One method involves slowly weaning o! the product, consuming gradually nicotine content in the vape juice over the course of several weeks. This satiates the need to engage in the act of smoking, tricking the brain into thinking it is receiving as much nicotine as it normally would. As time goes on and the content percentage of nicotine in the e-juice decreases to minimal amounts, the user will be less affected by the urge to satisfy a nicotine craving. Eventually, the idea is that these cravings will occur so seldom that the urge to smoke will diminish entirely.
USE NICOTINE PATCHES
Another common method used by both electronic cigarette users and regular smokers involves the daily use of nicotine patches. These supply the bloodstream with enough nicotine to satisfy the brain's cravings for nicotine consumption, which helps to kill the urge to smoke. Using this method over time is also effective in weaning off nicotine cravings and cutting the smoking habit entirely. Nicoderm Nicotine Patches are known to be among the most popular brands to help people quit vaping and smoking.
CHEW NICOTINE GUM
Nicotine gum is another product commonly sought after by people who want to quit vaping or smoking, and this method essentially works on the same constructs as nicotine patches. This gum also tricks the brain into thinking it is receiving nicotine the same way it normally would, helping people to resist the urge to smoke. People who choose this method can also slowly reduce the nicotine content in their gum, and eventually cut it out entirely. Nicorette Nicotine Gum is also a trusted nicotine gum brand that has been around for years to help people quit vaping and smoking.
COMMONLY ASKED VAPE QUESTIONS IS VAPING BAD FOR YOU?
Vaping is undoubtedly bad for your health. Studies have proven that this habit lowers the body's ability to fight o! infections, essentially suppressing the immune system. Although the use of electronic cigarettes does eliminate many of the cancer-causing byproducts of burning tobacco, nicotine vaporizers still put users at risk of heart health problems. In fact, a study released by the Journal of the American Heart Association found that nicotine vaporizer smokers experience the same heart rate variability patterns associated with increased cardiac risk.
For more information, Principal Platt recommends parents read the following articles:
https://www.vox.com/science-