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Vaping is one of the most popular addictive behaviors out there. People often switch to vaping instead of smoking cigarettes, and it is often seen as a better alternative to smoking.
However, vaping contains nicotine, like cigarettes. So, how addictive is vaping, and is it actually easier to quit?
Vaping is addictive, but is it better than cigarettes?
In this article, we are going to be talking about vaping, and whether it is less addictive than smoking cigarettes.
Let’s find out more.
What Is Vaping?
Vaping is extremely popular, and it is a common way to inhale and consume tobacco, as well as marijuana.
Tobacco contains nicotine, and this comes with different health risks. A vape is an electronic pen-looking device that boils liquid to create a steamy vapor that you breathe in.
There are several types of vapes, including vape pens, e-cigarettes, and hookahs.
Although vaping proves to be a slightly safer alternative to smoking, it comes with its own set of issues and difficulties.
When vaping, you inhale the liquid vapor, delivering the nicotine to the lungs, and coming out of the mouth or nose.
However, when vapes work, they produce an aerosol from heating up the liquid, and containing flavors and chemicals.
This is expelled through the mouth, often producing a larger and thicker cloud of vapor/smoke.
Is Vaping Safe?
Vaping is less harmful than smoking cigarettes, but it is not safe.
Often, there are chemicals added to vape liquid that contain bad chemicals. Diacetyl is one of the most common chemicals found in vapes.
This is added to the liquid to improve the taste and flavor, but inhaling this has actually been known to cause something that is informally known as popcorn lung.
Popcorn lung refers to the permanent scarring and bubbling of the inside of the lungs, as the vapor is technically steaming from the inside.
Vapes usually contain less than half of the nicotine that is found in tobacco cigarettes, but nicotine is a harmful substance that is found in vapes, too.
Nicotine is a stimulant that can actually affect the brain, especially if it is in the developmental stage.
This is up to the age of 25. Vaping can harm the parts of the brain that are responsible for learning, moods, attention spans, and impulse control.
Additionally, nicotine can harm the brain cell connections, and this poses a risk for you to become addicted to other substances in the future due to the frayed connections.
Nicotine is the least of your worries. The chemicals present in vaping liquid are worse than some of the chemicals present in tobacco, especially if it is pure tobacco.
These chemicals have been known to cause health issues, but what are these chemicals?
A lot of these chemicals are cancer-causing, with some of them being tin, lead, and nickel.
As we’ve learned, diacetyl is the most common chemical found in vaping liquid, and this is responsible for lung disease.
Additionally volatile organic compounds can be found inside vape liquid, as well as fine particles that will harm the inside of your lungs.
However, vaping is incredibly new, so scientists and medical professionals are not quite sure about the effects of vaping.
This is a great reason to avoid the effects of vaping, and it is estimated that over 3,000 hospitalizations are actually caused by vaping and its chemicals.
How Popular Is Vaping?
Vaping has become extremely popular, especially in the last few years. It is estimated that over 4 million children are using vapes in schools, and a lot of young people are using them.
It is likely that a lot of young people will try smoking cigarettes and trying vapes, but over 10% of adults are vaping continuously.
This proves it is an addictive substance, and it is something that should be taken seriously.
Additionally, the media has had an effect on the popularity of vapes, which is the reason that a lot of young people are vaping. It is seen as a safer alternative to smoking.
Does Vaping Make It Easier To Quit Smoking?
Vaping has often been used as an alternative to smoking, especially with new quitters.
This often leads people to vape long term, which is not quite the intention of quitting smoking.
Vaping does make the experience of quitting smoking easier, but it is common to become addicted to vaping too, because of the nicotine and the hand mouth similarity to smoking.
Just How Hard Is It To Quit Vaping Compared To Smoking?
Vaping has actually proven to be more difficult to quit than cigarettes.
Vapes contain nicotine, as do cigarettes. But, the way that they are built has proven that they are more addictive than cigarettes.
This is because they can give you more nicotine per puff in comparison to a cigarette. They use nicotine salts in liquid, so there is a more concentrated nicotine dosage within the vapes.
Additionally, vapes are not seen as bad as cigarettes. This is because they are electronic, and they look fun and cool.
They still deliver a nicotine buzz, but they do not smell, and they are easy for convenience.
In this way, they are actually a lot more addictive than smoking cigarettes, with very similar health issues, too.
What Is Nicotine?
Nicotine is a stimulant that is found in cigarettes and vapes. It speeds up the message and connections that travel through the brain to the body.
Nicotine produces tar, as well as toxic carbon monoxide, these are expelled when the tobacco or vape is burned. Nicotine is technically a type of drug, and there is no drug that has proven to be safe.
The nicotine in vapes and cigarettes can cause a few different health concerns. These are mostly short term.
This includes nausea, dizziness, headaches, and cramps.
Nicotine is an addictive substance, and nicotine is the reason that people go back to smoking and vaping, as well as take it up as a habit.
What Side Effects Does Vaping Have?
Vaping has very similar side effects to smoking. This includes
- Cough, dry mouth and throat
- Throat irritation
- Shortness of breath
- Headaches
- Tingling in the body
- Dizziness
- Increased heart rate
5 Dangers Of Vaping
There are five known dangers of vaping. These are the long term dangers of vaping, and the worst things about vaping.
- The unknown chemicals—not enough research has gone into the effects of vaping because it is so new.
- Addictive substances—the additive and toxic chemicals present.
- Brain development may be impacted—the connections between the brain and body are severely affected.
- Lung damage—popcorn lung and other issues.
- Media influence—popularity and glamorization of vaping.
Final Thoughts
Vaping is becoming incredibly popular, and it is seen as a cool thing to do. However, it is often used as a method of quitting smoking.
As we’ve now found out, vaping is equally dangerous as smoking, and it actually has more negatives in some ways.
Vaping is more addictive than smoking, and it should be done in small amounts.