E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices where liquids are heated for inhalation and exhalation. The liquids are of different flavors according to user preference. While they differ in contents, e-cigarettes typically contain glycerin, flavorings, nicotine, and propylene glycol.
Just like cigarettes and other chemical oriented inhalations, there are significant health risks to users based on components like lead, metals and in some cases, Diacetyl, which are linked to lung complications. There are no long time studies on vaping and e-cigarettes, but the thought is that this is only a matter of time until we fully understand the complications that vaping bring.
FDA Regulations
Of course, e-cigarettes are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The production follows specific guidelines provided in specific countries as well as international bodies. One of the common guidelines to manufacturers is sale to only users above the age of 18. The FDA provide clear labeling to be included on e-cigarettes, and it’s related to nicotine, all manufacturers have to clearly state that their products contain nicotine and that it is an addictive drug.
E-cigarette popularity is rapidly growing among young adults in all parts of the world. The rise in use of e-cigarettes triggers hot discussions on safety and addiction levels. Regular cigarettes are widely known to be addictive, again, mainly because of nicotine, which is present in all tobacco products and smoking cessation products.
Nicotine and addiction
It is up to the user of e-cigarettes how much nicotine they use within their liquids (known as e-liquids), some even opting for 0% of nicotine. Whether e-cigarettes contain Nicotine or not is the basis of discussion with respect to addiction. There is always an inconsistency between actual and listed nicotine levels in these tobacco products as some studies have shown. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance hence a determining factor in linking e-cigarettes to addiction.
FDA has not issued an official statement and their status on safety level of e-cigarettes. However, most scientists base on the fact that it is a tobacco product hence traces of nicotine, which confirms addiction. Whether nicotine is mild or concentrated, e-cigarettes can’t be completely free of addiction. Of course, the damage vaping has on the lungs is dependent on frequency and concentration of the tobacco product along with the flavors.
It is difficult to make a judgment on the matter because of the vague information in the market. There are at least 7,000 e-liquids available and at least 500 different flavors and brands on the market. The best e-cig to use with these e-liquids is wholly dependent on user preference, with so many types and different characteristics among them. FDA has not yet provided a comprehensive report on the long-term affects of vaping and therefore, linking it to nicotine and hence addiction is not based on substantive information considering FDA is an internationally recognized regulatory body.
Does it help to quit smoking?
Another controversial issue surrounding e-cigarette is using it as a technique to quit smoking. Initially it was thought that e-cigarettes were just an alternative to smoking with the same effects and harm produced by them. Now we have become a little wiser on the subject, many governments around the world actually endorse them as a valuable tool with the fight against smoking. Stating; that they are at least 95% safer than regular cigarettes. It is this remaining 5% that we should be worried about, so the advice is to use them to quit your nicotine habit and try to quit vaping soon after.
Just like cigarettes and other chemical oriented inhalations, there are significant health risks to users based on components like lead, metals and in some cases, Diacetyl, which are linked to lung complications. There are no long time studies on vaping and e-cigarettes, but the thought is that this is only a matter of time until we fully understand the complications that vaping bring.
FDA Regulations
Of course, e-cigarettes are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The production follows specific guidelines provided in specific countries as well as international bodies. One of the common guidelines to manufacturers is sale to only users above the age of 18. The FDA provide clear labeling to be included on e-cigarettes, and it’s related to nicotine, all manufacturers have to clearly state that their products contain nicotine and that it is an addictive drug.
E-cigarette popularity is rapidly growing among young adults in all parts of the world. The rise in use of e-cigarettes triggers hot discussions on safety and addiction levels. Regular cigarettes are widely known to be addictive, again, mainly because of nicotine, which is present in all tobacco products and smoking cessation products.
Nicotine and addiction
It is up to the user of e-cigarettes how much nicotine they use within their liquids (known as e-liquids), some even opting for 0% of nicotine. Whether e-cigarettes contain Nicotine or not is the basis of discussion with respect to addiction. There is always an inconsistency between actual and listed nicotine levels in these tobacco products as some studies have shown. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance hence a determining factor in linking e-cigarettes to addiction.
FDA has not issued an official statement and their status on safety level of e-cigarettes. However, most scientists base on the fact that it is a tobacco product hence traces of nicotine, which confirms addiction. Whether nicotine is mild or concentrated, e-cigarettes can’t be completely free of addiction. Of course, the damage vaping has on the lungs is dependent on frequency and concentration of the tobacco product along with the flavors.
It is difficult to make a judgment on the matter because of the vague information in the market. There are at least 7,000 e-liquids available and at least 500 different flavors and brands on the market. The best e-cig to use with these e-liquids is wholly dependent on user preference, with so many types and different characteristics among them. FDA has not yet provided a comprehensive report on the long-term affects of vaping and therefore, linking it to nicotine and hence addiction is not based on substantive information considering FDA is an internationally recognized regulatory body.
Does it help to quit smoking?
Another controversial issue surrounding e-cigarette is using it as a technique to quit smoking. Initially it was thought that e-cigarettes were just an alternative to smoking with the same effects and harm produced by them. Now we have become a little wiser on the subject, many governments around the world actually endorse them as a valuable tool with the fight against smoking. Stating; that they are at least 95% safer than regular cigarettes. It is this remaining 5% that we should be worried about, so the advice is to use them to quit your nicotine habit and try to quit vaping soon after.
Comments
Post a Comment