The use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (EVDDS) also called vaping involves inhaling aerosols that contain nicotine and other chemicals. It can cause addiction and harm the developing adolescent brain in areas that control attention, learning, mood and impulse control. It can also expose people around you to secondhand smoke.
What is an E-cigarette?
E-cigarettes are battery powered devices that heat a liquid into an aerosol that you inhale. They are also called vaporizers, e-cigs, vapes and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).
The vapor from e-cigarettes usually contains nicotine (the addictive drug in cigarettes), flavorings and other chemicals. The chemicals in e-cigarette vapor can cause diseases including cancer and lung damage.
You can buy e-cigarettes at stores and online. They look like regular cigarettes or cigars and may have a USB flash drive-like cartridge that holds the e-liquid. Larger devices, called tanks, can be refillable and may not look like other tobacco products.
E-cigarettes can explode if you don’t use them correctly or they are damaged. This has caused injuries in hospitals and fires at waste management facilities.
How does an E-cigarette work?
E-cigarettes heat a liquid solution to produce an aerosol mist that users inhale. This solution, often called e-liquid or e-juice, can contain nicotine and other chemicals. It can also include flavorings that may look like traditional tobacco products or other foods and drinks.
The vapor inhaled by people who vape can irritate the lungs and lead to scarring, narrowing of the tubes that bring air in and out of the lungs, and other harmful effects over time. It can also expose users to chemicals like nitrosamines, which can cause cancer.
Nicotine affects areas of the brain that control attention, learning and impulse control. This can make it harder for people to resist the appeal of other drugs, including alcohol and other illicit substances. The tobacco industry targets youth with e-cigarette marketing and advertising. Youth are also exposed to overt and covert pro-tobacco content on social media.
Are E-cigarettes safe?
The e-liquid (or vape) used in e-cigarettes contains nicotine, propylene glycol and glycerin which are transformed into vapor on inhalation. Nicotine is addictive and toxic to the lungs, causing swelling and inflammation and narrowing of the tubes that bring air in and out. The vapor can also contain other chemicals and metal particles that are dangerous to the body.
In addition, e-cigarettes often resemble traditional tobacco products or common gadgets like pens, USB flash drives, car key fobs, fidget spinners and gaming controls. This makes them appealing to youth and can lead to unintended use. Many kids and teens who begin using e-cigarettes go on to smoke regular cigarettes later in life.
Are E-cigarettes addictive?
Researcher Emily Wasserman and colleagues surveyed e-cigarette users who participated in the PATH (Patients Accepting Tobacco Harm Reduction) study. They used online forums where they could communicate with participants anonymously over a flexible period of time. These forums are an important resource for gathering authentic perceptions about health and dependence-related experiences. A visit cloud 9 vape stores loganville ga will help you find out more.
Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, an addictive substance that can harm adolescent brain development, which continues through about age 25. Nicotine may also disrupt how the brain builds stronger connections – or synapses – between cells. This can cause memory, learning and self-control problems. It can also make people more likely to start smoking regular cigarettes. Nicotine can also reduce lung function and increase the risk of developing a serious lung disease called EVALI.