Vaping Health: Separating Myths from Facts

 
Before we get started we should say that vaping is not entirely risk-free. It is primarily recommended for adult smokers as a means to assist in quitting smoking and to help maintain cessation. It's important to note that vaping is intended as an alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes, targeting those who are seeking to overcome their tobacco dependence.
 
Indeed, there's often confusion surrounding vapes, also known as e-cigarettes or e-cigs, largely due to the prevalence of misleading information.
 
To clarify, let's address some of the most common myths about vaping and contrast them with facts supported by scientific evidence and data. This approach helps in providing a clearer and more accurate understanding of vaping, separating misconceptions from reality.
 

Myth 1: Vaping is just as harmful as smoking

While it is true that vaping is not without risks, it is considerably less harmful than traditional smoking. This has been substantiated by a comprehensive review of international evidence conducted by UK experts in 2022. Their findings indicate that, at least in the short and medium term, the risks associated with vaping are only a small fraction of those linked to smoking cigarettes.
 
Cigarettes, when burned, release thousands of chemicals, many of which are toxic and approximately 70 are known to cause cancer. Most of these harmful substances, including tar and carbon monoxide, are not present in the aerosol produced by vapes.
 
Individuals who transition fully from smoking to vaping can significantly reduce their exposure to the toxins and carcinogens typically associated with smoking. This reduced exposure aligns with decreased risks of developing cancer, lung disease, heart disease, and stroke. Therefore, while not completely harmless, vaping is a less detrimental alternative for adult smokers looking to quit traditional cigarettes.
 

Myth 2: Nicotine is highly detrimental to health

Contrary to popular belief, while nicotine is indeed addictive, it is not significantly harmful to health on its own. The major health issues associated with smoking are primarily due to the multitude of other toxic chemicals present in tobacco smoke.
 
It's a common misconception that nicotine is responsible for smoking-related diseases. However, nicotine does not cause cancer, lung disease, heart disease, or stroke. This distinction is important to understand. Nicotine has been used safely in smoking cessation aids for many years. These aids, such as nicotine gums and patches, harness the addictive nature of nicotine to help people wean off smoking, but without exposing them to the harmful chemicals found in tobacco smoke.
 
Therefore, the health risks commonly associated with smoking are not due to nicotine itself but to the other harmful substances in tobacco smoke. This is a key consideration in the debate about the relative safety of vaping, which typically delivers nicotine without the majority of harmful combustion products found in cigarette smoke.
 

Myth 3: Vaping does not help people quit smoking

Contrary to this myth, vapes containing nicotine are actually among the most effective tools available for quitting smoking. Research has demonstrated that nicotine vapes are more effective than traditional nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) like patches or gum. This effectiveness is partly attributed to the fact that vaping mimics the hand-to-mouth action of smoking, providing a familiar ritual for former smokers. Additionally, vapes offer similar sensations to smoking, such as the "throat hit" that many smokers are accustomed to, which can further aid in the transition from smoking to vaping.
 
Choosing the right e-liquid is crucial in this process. It's important to use an e-liquid with a sufficient nicotine level to reduce withdrawal symptoms and curb the urge to smoke. For personalized advice on selecting the appropriate nicotine strength and type of e-liquid, individuals can consult with a specialist vape shop or their local Stop Smoking Service. This tailored approach can significantly enhance the likelihood of successfully quitting smoking through the use of vaping products.
 
You can find out more on selecting the right level of nicotine for you here (link too understanding nicotine strengths)
 

Myth 4: Switching to a vape is merely replacing one harmful addiction with another

While it's true that both vapes and cigarettes contain nicotine, the addictive substance, the health risks associated with vaping nicotine are significantly lower compared to smoking.
 
The primary health hazards of smoking come from the combustion of tobacco, which releases numerous harmful toxins. These toxins are responsible for causing a variety of serious illnesses, including cancer, lung disease, heart disease, and stroke.
 
On the other hand, vaping delivers nicotine by heating an e-liquid, a process that does not produce the same level of harmful substances as burning tobacco. Consequently, vaping exposes users to far fewer toxins and at substantially lower levels than smoking cigarettes.
 
Furthermore, vaping offers the possibility of gradually reducing nicotine dependency. Once a smoker transitions to vaping and feels confident about not reverting to smoking, they can progressively decrease the nicotine strength in their e-liquid and reduce how frequently they vape. This method can ultimately lead to a complete cessation of nicotine use, making vaping a viable tool for quitting smoking and overcoming nicotine addiction.
 
 

Myth 5: People use their vape more than they smoked so it must be harmful

It's a common misconception that vaping more frequently than smoking is inherently worse for your health. In reality, it's quite normal to vape more often than one might have smoked, and this increased frequency is not necessarily more harmful. 
 
The reason for this lies in the difference between how each puff on a vape and a cigarette affects the body. Each inhalation from a vape carries a significantly smaller risk compared to a puff on a cigarette, mainly due to the absence of combustion and the reduced number of harmful chemicals inhaled.
The delivery of nicotine to the brain also differs between smoking and vaping. Smoking provides a rapid hit of nicotine due to the quick absorption through the lungs, often satisfying cravings with just a few puffs. In contrast, vaping delivers nicotine more slowly. The nicotine takes longer to reach the brain, and as a result, users may find themselves hitting on their vape more frequently to maintain nicotine levels and curb cravings. Although this has changed in recent years due to the introduction of nicotine salts, allowing for the fast acting feeling but without the harm associated with smoking.
 

Myth 6: Vapes are unregulated and their contents are unknown

This myth is far from the truth, especially in the UK where vaping products are subject to strict regulations concerning their safety and quality.
 
All vaping products containing nicotine available for sale in the UK must be formally notified to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This notification process requires manufacturers to provide detailed information about their products, including a comprehensive listing of all ingredients. This regulatory framework ensures that consumers are not only aware of what they are inhaling but also reassures them that the products meet stringent safety standards.
 
The stringent oversight by the MHRA means that vaping products in the UK are among the most regulated in the world, countering the misconception that the vaping industry operates without checks and balances. This level of regulation plays a crucial role in protecting users and maintaining high standards of product safety and quality.
 

Myth 7: Vaping Causes 'Popcorn Lung'

The claim that vaping leads to 'popcorn lung', a colloquial term for the rare condition known as bronchiolitis obliterans, is unfounded.
 
The origin of the term 'popcorn lung' stems from instances of the disease found in factory workers who were exposed to diacetyl, a chemical used in flavouring popcorn. While it's true that diacetyl was identified as a cause of this condition, it's important to note that this chemical is present in cigarette smoke.
 
However, in the context of vaping, especially within the UK, diacetyl was and is still banned as an ingredient in vapes and e-liquids under the regulatory standards enforced. The absence of diacetyl in UK-regulated vaping products significantly diminishes the risk of developing bronchiolitis obliterans from vaping.
 
Therefore, the concern that vaping might cause 'popcorn lung' is not supported by the regulatory practices in place, which ensure the safety of e-liquids and vaping products by prohibiting harmful substances like diacetyl. This fact helps dispel the myth and underscores the importance of adhering to regulated products for a safer vaping experience.
 

Myth 8: Second-hand exposure to vape “smoke” is Harmful to Bystanders

Fact: Firstly vapes produce an aerosolised vapour and not smoke. Current evidence does not support the notion that exposure to vape aerosol poses significant harm to bystanders. This stands in contrast to second-hand smoke from cigarettes, which is well-documented to cause serious health issues to those in the vicinity of the smoker.
 
While cigarette smoke contains a variety of harmful substances that can adversely affect others, particularly in enclosed spaces, the same level of risk has not been established for vape aerosol. Research to date suggests that any risks associated with second-hand exposure to vape aerosol are likely to be very minimal.
 
However, as a precautionary measure, it is advised to avoid vaping around vulnerable groups, such as babies and children. Children are often inclined to imitate adult behaviour, and it's important to set a responsible example. Additionally, consideration should be given when vaping near individuals with health conditions like asthma, who could be more sensitive to the components of vape aerosol.
 
Being mindful of the environment and the people around when vaping is crucial, even in the absence of conclusive evidence of harm from second-hand exposure. This approach ensures not only personal responsibility but also respects the comfort and health of others in shared spaces.