Smoking cigarettes has been linked to a variety of health problems, from lung disease and heart attacks to slowed metabolism and cancer. But many people are experimenting with vaping, which is the use of electronic devices to inhale nicotine-infused liquids without burning tobacco. While it’s not as dangerous as smoking, there are concerns about the long-term safety of e-cigarettes and the effects of secondhand vapour.
Vaping is a popular method for helping smokers to reduce or quit their addiction. In fact, it is twice as effective as patches, gum or lozenges, which are considered more ‘traditional’ quitting aids. However, a new study has found that switching to vaping from smoking may not be as effective as we originally thought.
The researchers from the University of Dundee, UK, recruited 114 adults who had been smokers for at least two years and were free from established cardiovascular disease. Forty of them continued to smoke, while 37 switched from smoking to vaping with nicotine and another group switched to e-cigarettes without nicotine. Researchers measured changes in blood vessel function, which is the earliest detectable change in vascular health. They found that those who switched to vaping were halfway towards the vascular health of non-smokers after just four weeks, while those who didn’t saw little or no improvement in their blood vessel function.
This early improvement is the earliest sign that there may be some benefit from switching to vaping, but more research is needed to establish whether this effect lasts over time and to see if it can be sustained. Those who switched to vaping were also at least 13 per cent less likely to have a cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack or stroke, than those who continued to smoke.
But the researchers say it’s not yet clear if this improvement is down to the switch to vaping, or other factors, such as improvements in diet and exercise. The study also found that those who shifted to vaping reported better physical health and more active social lives than those who didn’t shift.
There is still no evidence that e-cigarettes cause any harm to those who inhale secondhand vapour, but it’s best not to do so if you’re around children and babies. The chemicals in tobacco smoke can damage the body’s DNA and have other health risks for young children and those with respiratory conditions such as asthma or bronchitis. Get professional advise by click here for the best vape store in lawrenceville ga.
Vapes are classed as waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and should not be thrown away in the general rubbish bin. They can often break down and release heavy metals into the environment over time, so it’s important to recycle them when you need to replace the batteries. You can take them to the shop where you bought them or to your local household waste recycling centre for disposal. This can help to reduce the amount of waste in landfill sites. If you are thinking about trying a vape, make sure you talk to your GP or stop-smoking adviser first. They can advise you on how to get started and give you support if you need it.