the science behind vaping By Harriet Rothwell-Inch
Recent years have seen a significant rise in the popularity of vaping, particularly among teenagers and young people. According to the UK charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), the use of vapes by under 18s has increased by up to 50% year on year. And yet, research into the long-term effects of vaping is still in its infancy. E-cigarettes, also known as vapes, are small, battery-powered devices that enable the inhalation of nicotine as a vapour rather than as smoke. Originally invented to serve as an alternative to conventional smoking, e-cigarettes have become a very popular “stop-smoking” aid in the UK as they do not burn tobacco. Instead, vape pens work by heating an e-liquid containing nicotine, flavourings and other chemicals, vaporising it into airborne droplets or aerosol particles which are then inhaled.
The primary ingredients in e-liquids are propylene glycol and vegetable glycerol. These colourless, odourless and syrupy chemicals are often used as food additives because of their ability to make things taste better, look nicer and last longer. They’re also common ingredients in cosmetic products, cleaning products, and medicines. So, while consuming these specific chemicals is technically safe, inhaling them is another story. Medical professionals are concerned about the long-term consequences of vaping on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Not just because of the wide gaps in the research surrounding the inhalation of the chemical components in e-cigarettes, but also because of their addictive qualities.
According to health experts, long-term exposure to nicotine can not only lead to an increased heart rate and blood pressure, because the chemical is absorbed into our bloodstream, but is also particularly bad for developing brains. This makes the rising number of children taking up vaping even more concerning. The legal limit for nicotine-containing vapes in the UK is 2% (20mg of nicotine per millimetre of e-liquid), and yet “illegal” vapes containing at least 50% over this limit have been found available for purchase across the country. Despite laws in place that ban the selling of nicotine-containing products to under-18s, the number of teenagers with access to these illegal vapes is astonishing. The BBC have previously outlined that a large number of vapes being confiscated from secondary school students were illegal, and when tested, were found to contain dangerously high levels of lead, nickel, and chromium. Prolonged exposure to such chemicals can seriously affect the central nervous system and brain development.
“Prolonged exposure to such chemicals can seriously affect the central nervous system and brain development.”
Lifestyle
“while consuming these specific chemicals is technically safe, inhaling them is another story.”
Illustrations by Vivika Sahajpal
However, with vape shops on every corner, hundreds of flavour varieties, and attractive, brightly coloured packaging, are we really all that surprised at the rate with which vaping has gained popularity among the younger generations? Despite the risks and the unknown longterm impacts on our physical health, vaping is more popular than ever. While healthcare professionals stand by the positive applications of vaping to help people quit smoking, there is wide agreement that vaping can be just as addictive as traditional cigarettes – the only issue is that they’re unsure of just how dangerous it could be for our health. More cases of serious lung injuries as a result of e-cigarette use are appearing every day, and it is clear that more research into these detrimental health effects is needed.
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