Vaping health studies
Vaping and nicotine-related studies are continuously being conducted, with at least a dozen new studies published every week. These studies cover various aspects of vaping, including health risks, e-liquid and vapor analysis, and nicotine addiction. Some studies gain significant attention due to alarming claims made by researchers, university press offices, or external groups, leading to media uproar.
It is important to note that no vaping research concludes that vaping is completely “safe.” Whenever a foreign substance is inhaled or a drug like nicotine is used, there is inherent risk involved. However, the scientific consensus suggests that vaping is significantly safer than smoking cigarettes. While there is a general agreement on the reduced risks of vaping compared to smoking, opinions on the potential health effects and side effects of vaping vary widely.
How does vaping affect heart, lung, and circulatory health?
There is limited long-term research available on the health effects of vaping due to the relatively recent emergence of these products and the difficulty in separating the effects of vaping from those of previous smoking habits. However, a unique study conducted in 2017 provides valuable insights. The study followed a group of vapers who had never smoked for 3.5 years, comparing their health markers to a control group of non-smokers who had never vaped or smoked.
The researchers meticulously measured indicators of heart, lung, and circulatory health and found that the vapers’ health markers were comparable to those of the non-smokers, even among individuals who vaped extensively. The study concluded that there were no evident health concerns associated with long-term e-cigarette use in relatively young users who had never smoked.
The study referenced is titled “Health impact of E-cigarettes: a prospective 3.5-year study of regular daily users who have never smoked” and was published in Nature Scientific Reports in 2018. The authors of the study include Riccardo Polosa, Fabio Cibella, Pasquale Caponnetto, Marilena Maglia, Umberto Prosperini, Cristina Russo, and Donald Tashkin.
Which flavors are preferred by adult vapers?
The flavor preferences of adult vapers can vary greatly based on individual preferences and personal taste. However, certain flavor profiles have gained popularity among adult vapers. Here are some flavors that are commonly favored by adult vapers:
Fruity Flavors:
Fruit-flavored e-liquids are often a top choice for adult vapers. Popular options include flavors like strawberry, watermelon, mango, apple, and citrus blends.
Dessert Flavors:
Many adult vapers enjoy indulging in e-liquids that mimic the taste of desserts. Flavors like vanilla custard, chocolate, caramel, and various pastry flavors such as doughnuts or cookies are commonly sought after.
Menthol and Mint:
Menthol and mint flavors provide a cool and refreshing vaping experience. They are particularly popular among vapers who enjoyed menthol cigarettes in the past or those seeking a minty and icy sensation.
Tobacco Flavors:
Some adult vapers prefer e-liquids that replicate the taste of traditional tobacco cigarettes. Tobacco flavors range from light and mild options to rich and robust blends, catering to various preferences.
Beverage Flavors:
E-liquids inspired by beverages like coffee, tea, soda, or alcoholic drinks have gained popularity among adult vapers. These flavors offer a unique vaping experience, often capturing the essence of the specific beverage.
Unique and Creative Flavors:
Adult vapers also enjoy exploring unique and creative flavors that go beyond traditional categories. This can include flavors like cereal, candy, bakery items, or even combinations of multiple flavors.
Can vaping help smokers quit cigarettes?
Vaping has been considered by many as a potential tool to assist smokers in quitting traditional cigarettes. While it is not approved as a smoking cessation device by regulatory bodies such as the FDA, some studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that vaping can be a helpful aid in smoking cessation efforts.
The primary reason vaping may assist in quitting smoking is that it can provide a nicotine alternative while eliminating the harmful combustion byproducts associated with traditional smoking. Vaping devices heat e-liquids, which often contain nicotine, to produce an inhalable vapor. This allows smokers to satisfy their nicotine cravings without the exposure to many of the harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke.
However, it is important to note that vaping should not be viewed as a guaranteed method to quit smoking. The effectiveness of vaping as a smoking cessation tool varies among individuals, and success rates can depend on various factors such as personal motivation, the right device and e-liquid, and ongoing support. Some individuals have successfully transitioned from smoking to vaping and eventually phased out nicotine use altogether. Others have used vaping as a harm reduction strategy, perceiving it as a less harmful alternative to smoking.
Is vaping a gateway to teenage smoking?
Concerns have been raised regarding the potential impact of vaping on adolescent smoking rates. However, evidence suggests that vaping has not led to an increase in teen smoking at a population level. In fact, since the introduction of vaping, teen smoking rates have significantly declined to their lowest recorded levels. According to the CDC, only 4.2 percent of 12th graders smoked in 2017, compared to 24.6 percent in 1997.
A 2017 paper authored by two experts in tobacco control further supports the notion that vaping is not causing an increase in teen smoking. In fact, the paper suggests that vaping may serve as a gateway in the opposite direction, diverting impressionable potential smokers away from traditional cigarettes.
The authors of the paper conclude that, based on the available research, youth use of e-cigarettes is unlikely to contribute to a future increase in cigarette smoking rates among adolescents. They propose the possibility of achieving harm reduction goals by implementing sensible comprehensive policies within tobacco control efforts.
The referenced study is titled “Adolescents and e-cigarettes: Objects of concern may appear larger than they are” and was published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence in 2017. The authors of the study are Lynn Kozlowski and Kenneth Warner.
