Dispelling 6 Falsehoods About Vaping
In today’s era, we find ourselves flooded by an overwhelming amount of information from Television, Internet, Press etc. Unfortunately, a lot of them tend to misinform rather than educate, even in areas that impact us daily. Hence, there is a need to verify the authenticity of the information we are receiving day in and day out.
One such realm which is significantly plagued by misconceptions is that of vaping. These only add to the misery of those who are interested in vaping and would like to know more about it. Hence, it is extremely important to separate facts from fiction to provide vapers a clear understanding of the true nature of vaping.
In this article, you will see 6 myths regarding vaping and also the actual truth behind these to get a comprehensive perspective around vaping.
So let us get started,
- Vaping leads to Popcorn Lungs
Popcorn lung is a medical condition that damages the human lungs’ tiny airways and makes the individual cough and feels short of breath. This was first seen when a few workers while working in a microwave popcorn factory developed this condition, on inhaling high amounts of diacetyl, a constituent that gives popcorn its buttery flavour. That’s why it was named popcorn lung.
Similarly, diacetyl is added (not anymore) in some e-liquids to give vapers the same buttery flavour. Yet, the level of the diacetyl in the e-liquids is hundreds of times lower than in cigarette smoke. Even at these levels, smoking is not considered to be a cause for this rare disease. Hence, it would be reasonable to conclude that vaping is safe from the dangers of Popcorn lung.
- E-Cigarettes are Dangerous Because of Nicotine
There is a common belief that e-cigarettes are harmful primarily because they contain nicotine. This misconception stems from the association of nicotine with tobacco-related cancers. However, research has indicated that nicotine itself poses minimal health risks. The majority of harm associated with smoking is attributed to the thousands of other toxic chemicals present in traditional cigarettes.
One significant advantage of e-cigarettes is that they lack harmful elements such as carbon monoxide and tar, which are typically found in tobacco smoke. While e-cigarettes do contain some similar components to traditional cigarettes, the levels are generally much lower. This distinction makes e-cigarettes a potentially less harmful alternative for individuals seeking nicotine without the detrimental effects of other tobacco-related toxins.
- E-Cigarettes Compels Youngsters to Smoking
One prevalent myth surrounding vaping is that it serves as a gateway for young individuals to transition into smoking traditional cigarettes. Despite the extensive media coverage of this notion, there is insufficient evidence to support it. In reality, e-cigarettes can actually serve as a valuable tool for ending smoking as it offers the users the ability to customise nicotine levels. Besides, users can choose from a wide range of e-liquid flavours, potentially reducing their dependence on nicotine.
Moreover, e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes possess noticeable visual differences, and most young people are capable of distinguishing between the two. Therefore, the claim that vaping leads to increased smoking initiation among young individuals lacks substantial evidence and fails to acknowledge the potential benefits of e-cigarettes in helping smokers quit.
- Vaping is Equally Harmful to Smoking
Vaping is erroneously believed to be equally as harmful as smoking. The truth is that smoking poses significant risks due to the combustion of dry tobacco, releasing over 3000 harmful chemicals. In contrast, vaping involves heating e-liquid to generate an aerosol, resulting in the production of water vapour as the sole by-product.
Moreover, the constituents of e-liquids consist of basic elements that are considerably less harmful compared to the toxic chemicals present in tobacco. For example, a gadget like i-Get Disposable Vape is completely from tobacco and also helps in overcoming the addiction to traditional cigarettes as well.
- E-Cigarette Causes Significant Harm to Bystanders
There is a widespread misconception that bystanders exposed to e-cigarette vapour face significant health risks. However, unlike the second-hand smoke emitted by tobacco cigarettes, e-cigarettes do not produce side-stream vapour. This is due to the composition of e-liquid, which usually consists of nicotine, propylene glycol, and flavourings, exhaled into the atmosphere as an aerosol.
Furthermore, current evidence does not provide conclusive support for the notion that passive vaping poses health risks to bystanders.
- Vaping is More Expensive than Smoking
One of the most popular myths regarding vaping is that it is more expensive than smoking traditional cigarettes. However, in reality, the long-term cost of vaping is significantly cheaper. While the initial investment in purchasing an e-cigarette may be higher than buying a pack of cigarettes, the ongoing expenses associated with vaping are much lower. With vaping, you only need to purchase accessories to maintain your e-cigarette functionality, and buying e-liquid is more cost-effective than constantly buying packs of cigarettes. Switching to vaping can ultimately save you a substantial amount of money in the long run.
All in All
Throughout this article, we have debunked six common myths surrounding vaping and shed light on the truth behind them. It is crucial to prioritise factual knowledge and make informed choices regarding vaping, rather than blindly accepting misinformation.
By dispelling these myths, we can cultivate a deeper understanding of vaping and its potential advantages for individuals seeking to quit smoking. Let us encourage accurate information and empower individuals to make well-informed decisions about their vaping journey.
