There are still many who believe that e-cigarettes, and other vaping devices, are a safe alternative to smoking. While vapes and e-cigarettes are still relatively new, there is growing evidence that these products are not harmless, and are more dangerous than people realize.
Vaping isn't safe. Tobacco products are dangerous, regardless of the form that they come in. Click To TweetVaping isn’t harmless
It’s not just steam, or water vapor, and flavorings. The aerosol inhaled from vaping includes various toxic chemicals such as acetaldehyde, acrolein, and formaldehyde, as well as highly addictive nicotine. These chemicals can lead to lung and heart disease.
The FDA issued a warning letter to JUUL for referring to their products as “99% safer” than cigarettes, “a safer alternative than smoking cigarettes”, and “totally safe”. According to the letter, a JUUL representative made these statements directly to children in a school.
A single JUUL brand pod contains the same amount of nicotine as a pack of cigarettes.
It’s concerning that many e-cigarettes and vaping products are being marketed to children and adolescents. They’re sold in sweet flavors like “Unicorn Frappé”, donuts, sour apple, and bubble gum. Some are brightly colored with exciting designs, and some are subtle and inconspicuous. They’re sometimes difficult to recognize because they may look like pens, flash drives, voice recorders, or other devices.
- According to a 2017 study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 5,700 kids start vaping everyday, and 42% of high school kids have tried vaping.
Does vaping cause lung disease?
The CDC announced September 6, 2019 that they are investigating an outbreak of severe lung illness associated with using e-cigarette products. As of this writing, the CDC has not identified a cause, but all reported cases have a history of vaping. There are currently more than 450 possible cases of pulmonary disease across 33 states, including 2 confirmed cases in Arkansas, and 6 confirmed deaths.
Vaping isn’t safe. It’s important to understand the dangers of using e-cigarettes, and to explain these risks to your kids. No one should use tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.
Dr. Patrice A. Harris, president of the American Medical Association, stated, “The AMA recommends anyone who recently used e-cigarette products to seek medical care promptly if they experience any adverse health effects, particularly coughing, shortness of breath or chest pain.”
You can request an appointment with a doctor in Northwest Arkansas through the myMANA portal.