What is Vaping?
“Vaping” is the act of inhaling the aerosolized liquid from an electronic device, which is called an e-cigarette or a vape pen. The electronic device is usually filled with vape liquid, which is heated up and produces vape. The liquid in the device is made using fake flavors that taste like fruit, candy, and cakes. Vaping companies term it as ‘juice’ to make it seem harmless, whereas they are also dangerous for the body. The vaping liquid is a mix of highly addictive nicotine, harmful chemicals and other additives that can have adverse effects on your body. Vaping first appeared in the Chinese market in the year 2004, which was marketed as an alternative to the people who want to quit smoking. After that, it slowly gained a lot of popularity, and ever since, the vaping companies have been earning in millions.
The Trap and Addiction
It was reported that people who started vape to quit their smoking addictions ultimately ended up using both. Vaping and Smoking are harmful to the body and mind. Though vaping can be a safer alternative than smoking, still it isn’t safe. Vaping has its share of downsides. Since vaping is a new trend, there aren’t any long term data about the ill effects of them. Yet, whatever studies were carried out by researchers indicate vaping isn’t a good option for your body. They have their effects which can turn dangerous.
How does it work?
E-cigarette heat nicotine is extracted from tobacco, chemicals and other flavorings that produces water vapor that an individual inhales. Vaping exposes you to certain toxic substances than traditional cigarettes. Studies show that there has been an imminent surge in the number of deaths and lung injuries caused due to vaping. As on December-2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention short for CDC estimated about 54 deaths due to e-cigarettes or vaping. The CDC recommends that individuals should not use THC containing vaping products or e-cigarettes. You should avoid using informal sources like friends or family to get your hands on a vaping device. Make sure not to add any substances in the vaping device as that could pose a severe threat.
Health Impacts
Research says vaping is bad for your lungs and heart. The primary agent in both cigarettes and e-cigarettes is nicotine which is known to be highly addictive. It makes you crave for a smoke and you suffer from withdrawal symptoms if you try to ignore the cravings. Nicotine is a very toxic substance that spikes your adrenaline and is known to raise your blood pressure. This could induce a heart attack or you may be at a high chance of having a heart attack. There are many unknown facts about vaping which include what chemicals go during the manufacturing and production stages. People need to realize that vaping can cause serious health effects. Vaping exposes you to a variety of multiple compounds that haven’t been named yet and aren’t safe.
Vaping among Age Groups
Among teenagers, e-cigarettes are popular than any traditional tobacco product. A study conducted in 2015 in the US reports that e-cigarettes use amongst high school students have spiked by 900%. The report also estimates that about 40% of e-cigarette users had no experience of smoking or never used any other tobacco product. There are three main reasons why vaping is enticing to the younger crowd. The first reason is youngsters believe vaping is less harmful than smoking and hence indulge in such activities. The second reason is that their per cost usage is much less as per traditional cigarettes. Finally, vaping has many formulated flavors like fruits, cakes, apple pie flavors that youngsters find very appealing.
Adults, as well as youngsters, love the fact that vaping does not produce smoke until traditional cigarettes. Some ultimately, many individuals have started vaping have never used any tobacco products. Both regular cigarettes, as well as electronic cigarettes, contain nicotine which can be as addictive as heroin or cocaine. Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes are especially harmful since you can choose the nicotine amount. You can increase them or decrease them as per your choice. Although these devices were developed and designed as an aid to help quit smoking addiction, the Food and Drug Administration short for FDA has not yet approved the device.
Top 5 Celebrities who Vape
Vaping is prevalent in every sector of business, from everyday people to actors to business people and teenagers alike. Let’s take a view of the top 5 celebrities who love to vape.
- Lindsay Lohan
Known as Hollywood’s wild child, Lindsay Lohan has been a fan of vape for long. Her much spoken about, controversial part of the past is well documented as her sudden rise to fame as a child actor. She is renowned for smoking tobacco cigarettes as well as her favorite puffy e-cigarette. She has been papped quite a few times puffing on the electronic cigarette.
- Leonardo DiCaprio
This famous Hollywood actor is known not just for his excellent acting skills but he also loves to use e-cigs. He was recognized for his smoking free and was recently captured vaping at the SAG Awards Ceremony. He has been ever since regularly photographed using his favorite electronic cigarette. It seems the Revenant star has ditched the tobacco cigarettes for good.
- Sienna Miller
This British actress was spotted vaping on the sets of a film. She looked ultra-chic and entirely pulled off her look. She has been often papped using electronic cigarettes. This lady has some serious acting skills with her vaping habits.
- Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp is correctly known as Hollywood’s bad guy. This guy loves his parties and lives his life to the fullest. He was the first famous actor to be filmed vaping on screen. In a scene with the gorgeous Angelina Jolie in The Tourist, he was seen vaping on a train. There is a rumor which suggests he isn’t usually satisfied with a vape pen and requires a power box mod to keep him high all day long.
- Cara Delevingne
This beautiful lady here who owns every ramp walk is no stranger to the world of controversy. Cara Delevingne was recently spotted vaping. She earlier used to smoke, and it seems she switched to vaping for good. As a world-famous influencer, she has been spotted multiple times smoking which might be the reason she swapped to electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes.
Side effects of Electronic Cigarettes
There is no assured evidence on the side effects of e-cigarettes, yet research claims them to be harmful to the body. Just because they have low nicotine, does not mean they are safe. They have their share of effects on your body which could turn disastrous. Vaping is linked to respiratory issues, breathing issues, chest pain, cough, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. The details obtained until September indicate about six deaths due to vaping. Pregnant women, people who have asthma, or other lung diseases should stay as far away as possible from electronic cigarettes as they could cause fetal abnormalities and throat irritation respectively.
Ways to Quit Vaping
If you are looking for ways to quit your addiction, there are multiple ways out there you could try. Usually, when people try to leave, they instead try to seek a replacement, which unfortunately ends up in doing both. Be patient, be consistent and make up your mind to quit. Let’s look at some ways you could keep off vaping.
- Quit Plan: Create a plan that reasons your decision to quit. Give reasons as to how well you control or curb your cravings and handle them. Make a list and note down every detail.
- 1-800-QUIT-NOW Hotline: If you plan to quit, you can avail of free counseling, advice to create a quit plan and information on all available resources.
- The Smokefree Women Website: This particular website offers judgment-free information and related resources to help mothers or pregnant women quit nicotine products and electronic cigarettes. They provide free advice and support you in your quitting program.
- Support Groups: There are various support groups online, wherein people who want to quit come together and help each other out. ‘Nicotine Anonymous’ is an online support group that has multiple programs to help you stop.
- One-on-one or group counseling: Research suggests that women who receive advice are 80% more likely to quit and would never start smoking again. You could also go in as a group or personal information to enable you to stop.
Vaping could cause serious lung issues and other health problems. It is better to remain away from such devices until guaranteed results or evidence are not obtained. If you are planning to quit, look for reliable sources to kick the butt. It’s all in your mind. Your decision to quit can be a success only if you stick to your choice. Stay away from people who vape or smoke as seeing them might give you a tendency to smoke. Nicotine is highly addictive even in smaller amounts and can slowly damage your brain. It affects your memory, focus, concentration, learning, self-control, sleep, and mood patterns. Vaping isn’t any good for your body and now is the right time to quit.