Vaping: Separating Myth from Truth
Vaping is more dangerous than smoking.
Myth. Tobacco combustion produces over four thousand chemicals, including 70 carcinogens such as arsenic, benzene, formaldehyde, and lead. The evidence is in on the dangers of smoking tobacco which results in 480,000 deaths per year in the U.S. The use of heat to vaporize a liquid nicotine solution does not produce the same level of chemicals as cigarette smoke.
Vaping is a safe alternative to smoking.
Myth. While vaping may reduce the exposure to the chemicals produced in cigarette smoke, it is far from safe. Vaping involves inhaling nicotine-laced vapor into your lungs. Further, the metal coil element in e-cigs is repeatedly heated and can produce harmful metal fumes into your lungs.
There is no evidence to suggest that vaping helps you quit smoking.
Myth. Thousands of personal testimonials are available online that show evidence of the effectiveness of vaping in tobacco cessation. An entire vaping community of former smokers has grown to significant numbers over the past 10 years. Denying this fact risks losing credibility with those you are trying to help.
Vaping helps you kick the nicotine habit.
Myth. Nicotine is extremely addictive. Changing the delivery system (vaping vs smoking) does nothing to help break the nicotine addiction.
Vaping advertising targets youth.
Truth. There is no denying that large vaping companies are constantly seeking ways to expand their markets, and if you’ve been in a McDonald’s you know how effective marketing to children can be. The use of bright colors, candy-like flavors, and hip images are appealing to youth. Further, the slick designs of modern vaping devices have a certain “cool” factor that also appeals to kids. The truth is that adults are just as likely to be attracted to these advertisements, but that does not excuse vaping companies from being responsible in their advertising.
E-liquids are closely regulated and safe.
Myth. While the FDA is quickly trying to catch up to the industry by issuing deeming regulations on products currently on the market and future products, the truth is that e-liquids are not regulated to the same degree that cigarettes and other tobacco products are regulated. Several studies have shown examples of e-liquids claiming a nicotine level misrepresented. Nicotine is a potentially deadly chemical if ingested in a high enough volume ( ≥ 500mg ) and poor quality control measures represent a potential risk to consumers. Even more risky are black market e-liquids, especially those that contain t.h.c. According to the CDC, 86% of the recent explosion of lung injuries associated with vaping are due to t.h.c. related products.
Vape shops are closely regulated.
Myth. Like e-liquids, vape shops require no licenses to operate beyond the basic business license. Further, the compliance checks that take place in tobacco retailers are not performed in vape shops unless there is a specific complaint. We currently must depend on vape shop owners to monitor themselves to prevent black market products from reaching consumers as well as preventing any vaping products from getting into the hands of minors.
Vaping nicotine is no different than drinking caffeine.
Myth. Nicotine and caffeine are two different drugs that affect the brain in different ways. Caffeine is a stimulant that works primarily by blocking the receptor for adenosine, a neurotransmitter that causes relaxation. Nicotine, on the other hand, causes the release of multiple neurotransmitters. This explains why smokers often claim that cigarettes, nicotine is a stimulant, helps with relaxation. Further differentiating the two substances is addiction. Nicotine is much more addictive than caffeine, with much more serious withdrawal symptoms.
