boiMAG.com "Vaping Article"

by: Dr. Charla Waxman BS, MBA, EdD,

ENDS are Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems. These vaping devices are battery-operated devices that are used to inhale an aerosol, which contains nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals. If you have vaped or used e-cigarettes, in any form, you have used an END. ENDS are a relatively simple product to understand. ENDS work when chemicals combined with nicotine or THC are heated to create vapor or an aerosol. Inhaling from those vapors transfers the combined chemicals to the lungs. Vaping devices are available on the internet, many retail shops, and in specialty vape stores. Wheras vapes are rechargeable and have refillable tanks; an e-cigarette is a “run-out” unit that is disposable Prices are determined by the vape or e-cigarette style, product ingredient strength and flavorings. What may make e-cigarettes appealing in addition to perceived safety, flavorings, no smoke smell, and THC-infusing options is that the cost per use is lower than regular cigarettes.

The acceptance of use has varied and some workplaces consider vaping and e-cigarettes the same as smoking and disallow it. Vaping devices have been disguised to look like flash drives, pens or, key fobs; making it easier to bypass workplace policies. They can also look like traditional tobacco cigarettes (sometimes called cig-a-likes), cigars, or pipes. Some ENDS are rechargeable via a USB, making it even easier to use whenever and wherever the user wants. The design and appearance may be different, but these devices, for the most part, function the same way and use similar working elements.

Over 460 different e-cigarette brands are being sold. (Zhu, Sun, and Bonnevie)

Are e-cigarettes or vapes any safer or less addictive than cigarettes? No, not necessarily. First, they contain nicotine which is the addictive substance in regular cigarettes. Carcinogenic chemicals are contained within the product. The chemicals that are blended with the nicotine or THC and the flavorings are often dangerous. E- cigarettes expose the lungs to various chemicals; there is no doubt about that. Some e-cigarette products have not only known carcinogens and other toxic chemicals like cadmium, but contain metal nanoparticles that come directly from the smoking device. Some of the flavorings added to the e-cigarettes have been known to contain both nickel and chromium. A 2021 research project through Johns Hopkins even identified pesticides in chemical mixtures found in these devices. Many of the vaping pods, even contain more nicotine than would be received from a whole pack of regular cigarettes. It is also not unusual for people to use black market materials, modify the device, or borrow devices from friends without knowing what has been used in that device. There may not be ingredient listings, so you are never sure just what it is that you are getting. What we don’t really seem to know yet is what long term exposure may mean to the user.

If the goal is to utilize the vape as a means of quitting cigarettes, know that the FDA has not approved these devices and their ingredients as “quit smoking aids”. They may not legitimately reduce nicotine cravings and some smokers may even choose to use both cigarettes and e-cigarettes; creating even more impact on their lungs and overall health.

If you don’t smoke cigarettes, don’t vape. Nicotine is a very difficult drug to stop using. Vapes often have higher concentrations of nicotine, making for an even higher potential for nicotine addiction. In addition, the jury is still out and the science indicates that vaping is not really less dangerous than smoking regular cigarettes.

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