Vaping has become a popular alternative to smoking in recent years, but health experts stress that “safer” doesn’t mean “safe,” especially for those who don’t already smoke.
Dr. Alejandra Ellison-Barnes, an assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins Tobacco Treatment and Cancer Screening Clinic, explains, “Existing evidence suggests that vaping exposes users to fewer toxic chemicals than cigarette smoke, but vaping still carries risks.”
Despite its growing popularity, vaping is not without its dangers. Medical professionals caution that while it may help smokers quit, it’s not a risk-free option.
Vaping can be less harmful than smoking for people trying to quit cigarettes. Tracy Smith, an associate professor at the Medical University of South Carolina Hollings Cancer Center, states, “Switching to a nicotine vaping product can significantly reduce exposure to toxic chemicals, especially for those not ready to quit nicotine completely.”
However, experts agree that vaping is far from safe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cigarette smokers are 25 times more likely to develop lung cancer.
In addition, a 2020 study by Johns Hopkins Medicine links smoking e-cigarettes to chronic lung disease and asthma. Given that vaping is relatively new, experts caution that we still don’t fully understand its long-term effects.
“We don’t yet know all of the risks of long-term use,” Ellison-Barnes says. “And because vaping products are poorly regulated, we don’t always know the ingredients that could lead to health problems.”
Nicotine, found in both regular and e-cigarettes, has serious health effects. It raises blood pressure and heart rate, increasing the risk of heart attacks. The CDC states that smokers are two to four times more likely to develop coronary heart disease and stroke.
Smith adds, “While some short-term studies show that switching from cigarettes to vaping improves lung function, the greatest benefits come from quitting nicotine altogether.”
While more research is needed, several lung diseases have already been linked to vaping. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, these include:
Popcorn lung (Bronchiolitis obliterans): A condition caused by inhaling diacetyl, a chemical found in some e-cigarette flavors. This can lead to permanent airway scarring.
Lipoid pneumonia: A lung condition caused by inhaling oily substances from e-cigarette liquid. It leads to coughing, shortness of breath, and, in severe cases, coughing up blood.
Collapsed lung (Primary spontaneous pneumothorax): Smoking and vaping can increase the risk of air blisters on the lungs bursting, which can cause a lung collapse.
While cigarette smoking is linked to cancer, it’s too early to determine if vaping has the same long-term effects. Nonetheless, experts are concerned because vaping introduces a variety of chemicals into the lungs.
In summary, while vaping may offer a reduction in exposure to harmful chemicals for smokers trying to quit, it is not without significant health risks. Medical professionals continue to stress that quitting altogether remains the healthiest option.
Read more:
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- Why 13% Of French Women Smoke Throughout Pregnancy Despite Health Risks
