Is Vaping Harmful to Health?

Is vaping harmful to health? Scientists will need decades of research to fully explore the potential long-term health effects of vaping, but below is some of the information currently promoted online by people with ulterior motives claiming that vaping is harmful to health.

1. It can harm your skin

Propylene glycol and its vapor, found in most vaping products, are irritants that can dry out your skin’s mucous membranes (the skin-like lining on your eyelids, nose, mouth, and lips). The side effects you may notice directly include itchy eyes, dry mouth, dry throat, and a dry cough. 2. It can be addictive

According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 deadly chemicals. Although vapor from vaping products does not contain as many harmful chemicals as cigarette smoke, it still contains one key ingredient: highly addictive nicotine.

What does that mean? Yes, you can still become addicted, even if the nicotine level is lower than in conventional cigarettes. Twelve studies and surveys have found that some smokers want to use vaping products to quit cigarettes, but the results have been mixed, and relapse rates remain high. This may be why the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved vaping products as a smoking cessation tool.

2. You may feel dizzy or nauseous

A review published in the journal Circulation states that low doses of nicotine in vaping products can cause a range of typical symptoms experienced by smokers—dizziness, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting—especially for people trying to quit smoking for the first time. If you’ve also been busy with work lately, these symptoms may cause you even more trouble.

3. Heart damage

An assessment report from the American Heart Association (AHA) shows that nicotine in cigarettes can speed up your heartbeat, raise blood pressure, and damage your heart. Over time, this substance can also harm heart cells and may lead to heart disease. You should know that vaping products also contain nicotine, which can affect your heart health. 4. You may increase your risk of cancer

There is no doubt that cigarettes can cause lung cancer, and vaping products also contain carcinogenic substances, including formaldehyde (whose dangers you are probably very familiar with). The hotter a vaping device gets, the more toxic substances it may release. But even relatively low-heat vaping products can expose users to harmful formaldehyde.

5. You may increase your risk of serious lung disease

According to research from the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a common flavoring in e-liquid called diacetyl is believed to be linked to severe respiratory dysfunction and the irreversible lung disease known as “popcorn lung.” One study found that 92% of the e-liquids tested contained diacetyl.

Overall, what you need to understand is that vaping is definitely harmful to the body, so do not assume that using vaping products is healthier. The healthiest approach is still to quit all smoking-related habits altogether.