Is vaping safer than smoking cigarettes?
Most evidence suggests that vaping poses less risk than smoking combustible tobacco cigarettes. Avoiding burned chemicals appears to lower the incidence of lung cancer and other smoking-related diseases in those who switch completely from smoking to vaping. However, vaping still exposes users to potentially harmful chemicals that can cause health issues. More long-term research is needed.
In summary, ‘vaping’ refers to inhaling an aerosol vapor produced by heating up a liquid or oil. The practice has quickly grown around the world since early vape devices emerged in the 2000s. While potentially less harmful than smoking for adults, vaping poses concerns especially related to youth uptake. Ongoing research and likely regulation will further shape the definition and public perception of vaping in the years ahead.
Can vaping help you quit smoking?
For some cigarette smokers, vaping offers a less harmful way to get nicotine without many toxic chemicals in tobacco smoke. This can help smokers quit eventually. However, research shows vaping alone is less effective for quitting than approved nicotine replacement products combined with counseling. Some who vape get dual addictions to vaping and smoking.
Why do teens use e-cigarettes?
Vaping has appeal among youth for many reasons like the flavors, ability to do vapor tricks, trendiness, and discreet nicotine delivery. Teens are highly susceptible to peer influence and e-cig marketing. Most report initially trying it out of curiosity, often underestimating the risks of addiction.
What are signs of nicotine addiction?
Signs of addiction include feeling like you need to vape, becoming irritable when you can’t vape, vaping daily, and failed attempts to cut back. Addiction is a risk if nicotine is being consumed regularly over an extended period, especially by teens whose brains are still developing.
Should flavored nicotine vapes be banned?
Public health groups advocate banning flavors beyond tobacco and menthol in nicotine vapes. This could deter youth appeal without affecting adult smokers seeking alternatives. However, the vaping industry argues adults also enjoy flavors and bans could make some turn back to regular cigarettes.
Can nicotine help you sleep?
No, nicotine can’t help you sleep – and on the contrary, it is more likely to give you insomnia.
When you smoke or vape, the nicotine you are ingesting functions as a stimulant, which will keep you awake.
Even if you ingest a higher amount and it makes you feel drowsy, as it wears off, the stimulant effect will return, waking you up and preventing you from going back to sleep.
Nicotine also inhibits rapid eye movement when we sleep, so even if you do go to sleep after ingesting nicotine, the sleep will be of poorer quality.
So the best advice is not to smoke or vape just before bedtime!
How can you get over a nicotine “overdose”?
If you ingest too much nicotine trying to chase a buzz, the first thing you should do is stop vaping!
After that, drink some water – or perhaps some sugary drinks like cola or juice – and try to make yourself eat something.
The effects will wear off pretty quickly, so all you need to do is sit down, relax and wait for the unpleasant sensation to disappear.
However, if you lose consciousness or suffer any other severe symptoms, you should contact a medical professional immediately.