Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes or vapes, are specialized tools utilized to provide an inhalable solution of nicotine and flavorings to the user.
Their ease of use and composition make them a desirable alternative to smoking cigarettes, but these attributes also make them far more addictive.
For a printer-friendly version of this article, click here.
What to Know About E-Cigarettes?
Unlike conventional tobacco cigarettes, e-cigarettes do not incorporate tobacco in their composition. That said, E-cigarettes are still considered tobacco products because many contain nicotine. This is one reason why the utilization of e-cigarettes still presents potential health hazards to the user.
E-cigarettes, in addition to delivering nicotine, may contain a variety of detrimental and potentially toxic components, including:
- Ultrafine particulate matter capable of penetrating into the lung’s deep regions
- Flavorants, such as diacetyl, which is known to cause severe respiratory illness
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Trace amounts of heavy metals, including nickel, tin, and lead
What Kind of E-Cigarettes are Available & How do They Work?
Other names used to refer to electronic cigarettes include:
- E-cigs
- E-hookahs
- Mods
- Vape pens or vapes
- Tank systems
- ENDS (electronic nicotine delivery systems)
Most e-cigarettes have a heating element, a battery, and a place to hold the liquid. They work by heating a liquid that turns into an aerosol that is then inhaled.
Usually the liquid contains nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals. E-cigarettes can also be used to deliver marijuana and other drugs, and in some cases, the person using the e-cigarette is not aware of these things which they are breathing into their body.
Are E-Cigarettes Safe?
The long-term consequences of utilizing e-cigarettes remain largely unknown and are a topic of ongoing research and investigation in the scientific community.
Despite this, it is well-established that nicotine, the primary addictive substance in e-cigarettes, is equally addictive when delivered via e-cigarettes as it is in traditional tobacco products. Moreover, nicotine has been shown to pose risks to fetal development and can negatively impact brain development in adolescents and young adults.
Notably, as of February 18, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a total of 2,807 hospitalizations and/or deaths related to e-cigarette use or vaping in the US. Additionally, e-cigarette usage has been linked to instances of lung injury and there have been reports of e-cigarette-related fires and explosions causing unintentional harm.
It is important to keep in mind that e-cigarettes are a relatively new technology and the potential health risks associated with their use are still being explored.
If you have never used tobacco or nicotine products, it is advised to avoid starting.
