VAPING

The burning question everyone wants to know the answer to – is vaping safe?

Vaping is relatively new compared to smoking cigarettes. The first electronic cigarette came out in China in 2003 and hit the UK market in 2005. There’s no doubt, though, in the last few years vaping has become big business. With vapes available in most corner shops, it’s likely you, or some of your family and friends, use them regularly.

Vaping is different to smoking because those using them are exposed to fewer toxins compared to smoking cigarettes, and it is these toxins that can cause cancer and other diseases, heart attacks and strokes. Whilst it is commonly accepted that vaping is probably less harmful than smoking, there are still risks to be aware of.

Because vaping is relatively new, there are no long-term studies that clearly demonstrate the risks of a lifetime of vaping. This doesn’t mean that vaping is risk-free. It just means we don’t know what those risks are yet. And every time you reach for the vape, you are taking a risk with your health.

E-cigs might not contain the tobacco and toxins found in traditional cigarettes, but they can still contain nicotine, which, research has revealed, can be as addictive as heroin or cocaine. So, whilst you might think you are choosing to vape, it’s possible you are actually becoming addicted and the choice of whether you vape or not is slowly being taken away from you. You may also get to a stage where the vape isn’t strong enough and you want a bigger hit, leading you to start smoking traditional cigarettes. The question is, is it worth starting to vape at all, if this could be the outcome?