Do you know what an e-cigarette is? An e-cig is an electronic cigarette. Vaping is short for vaporizing, the process of taking in vapor (also referred to as aerosol) through an inhale and exhaling it out. The vapor is put forth from a device, most often an e-cigarette, that puts forth a fine aerosol that is sometimes flavored. It looks similar to water vapor but isn't just water in composition.
These products hit the market a little while ago and grew in popularity. Today, you've likely heard of them through a news release, advertisement, someone you know trying them, or having checked them out yourself. Some people view it as a way to help them tobacco products. Younger people are trying these products as a way to look cool or for the novelty of vaping.
With research and news about the health benefits of vaping varying, what are you to believe? Is vaporizing healthier for you than using tobacco products? The jury is still out, but the answer is starting to come out as a flat no.
The particles that come out when you inhale and exhale are not water, even though they look like it. They are the 'juice' of the e-cigs, and it's essentially a liquid compound. Tobacco products such as an organic tobacco cigarette contain actual plants. What does this fine mist consist of?
The answer is: flavor and some chemicals, among other things. The ingredients in these liquids have even been linked to such ailments such as cancer, respiratory disease, and other bad things you don't want-- such as heart disease.
Vaping is more popular than ever. Vape pens, cigarettes, and personal vaporizers have all been available for sale in the United States since around 2007. Vaping has only increased in use since that debut date, with many young people and adults even having a self-described vaping addiction (unclear whether minute nicotine levels could influence this).
These devices usually have a battery, e-liquid cartridge, heating component, and a mouthpiece. The heating component turns the liquid into an aerosol that can be then taken in. This liquid usually uses a propylene glycol liquid or else a vegetable glycerin-based one.
It can include other chemicals, flavors, and varying nicotine levels as well-- maybe not the benign entity that an innocent consumer might think that it is. With so many ways to buy a way to vape in the real world or online if not, there may be a limited amount of information that consumers are getting about the health risks of this activity.
Whether used as a hobby, a recreational fun thing to do, a way to quit tobacco usage, or a number of other reasons, vaping may not be as wholesome as the marketing intends to make you believe it is.
A number of health advocates are now advising that if you can avoid doing it, you can avoid the risks that come with this new novelty. What to take away from all of this? Better to be safe than sorry, and for now, avoid picking the habit up in the first place.