“This isn’t nicotine, it’s just a vape!” Have you heard this before? Well, if you have, you’re probably not the only one. The real question is, is it true? There is so much information online, it’s hard to really know! Turns out, there is also a lot of misinformation about vaping. Lucky for you, kind reader, Miss Understanding (that’s me – hi) is here to debunk a few of the misconceptions surrounding vaping.
Let’s start with a brief explanation about vapes. Vaping devices are battery-operated devices that people use to inhale aerosol, which usually has nicotine and other chemicals in it. Sometimes they look like cigarettes or even USB flash drives. You’ve probably seen them everywhere, especially considering there are more than 400 e-cigarette brands on the market right now. Vapes have 4 elements: a cartridge with a solution carrying nicotine, flavors, and chemicals, a heating element, a power source, and a mouthpiece. People use the mouthpiece to puff and activate the heating device, which creates a vapor (thus, vaping!). Vapes have become extremely common among teens, college students, and young adults. A lot of people even think they’re “not bad for you.” Let’s talk about that.
Misunderstanding 1: vaping is a healthy alternative to cigarettes. Think about it like this: there are potato chips, and baked potato chips. The baked ones are “less bad for you” in some ways but are they… “healthy?” Not really. It’s the same with vaping. Vape e-juice has nicotine and chemicals that cause cancer and can lead to health problems like shortness of breath and asthma.
Misunderstanding 2: There isn’t any nicotine in it! If you’re familiar with nicotine, you might be aware of its harmful effects – most vapes do in fact contain nicotine. What is one major characteristic of nicotine? That’s right, it’s high addictive potential. Some studies have found 99% of vapes in the US have the same highly addictive substance found in cigarettes. Even further, 100% of JUULS have nicotine. In fact, one JUUL pod = the amount of nicotine in one whole pack of cigarettes.
Misunderstanding 3: Vaping won’t lead to smoking. In the scientific world, it’s not usually appropriate to say if something 100% will or won’t happen, and that’s why this myth is out there: scientists and doctors haven’t definitively said vaping WILL lead to smoking because, well, that’s not how science works. However, one study did find that young people that vaped were 4x more likely to smoke cigarettes 1 year later.
Misunderstanding 4: It’s just water vapor – that’s harmless. While vaping can seem innocent, it’s actually more than water vapor. Vapes have chemicals linked to a myriad of negative health consequences. They can cause harm in the short term, like coughing and asthma, and also impact brain development in younger individuals. Long term, scientists are noting impaired blood vessels which can increase the risk of heart disease.
Importantly, none of this information is meant to scare, shame, or frustrate anyone. Hopefully these research-supported facts have helped set a few things straight about vape use. If you or someone you know is struggling with vape use, don’t worry. One of the most important things to know: help is available!
Information is everywhere. Science is easily misinterpreted, and misconceptions quickly get confused as fact. Fortunately for you, science and research can also be the acting power against these myths and Miss Understanding is here to use that research to debunk those misconceptions. We now know that vaping isn’t a healthy alternative, there is nicotine in it, it can lead to cigarette use, and its harmful vapor. What else do we want to have a better Understanding about?
Edited by Taylor Woodward and Chloe Holden
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