But I NEVER recommend using #vape to do it.
Why?
1) #Vaping has health risks -the liquid contains carcinogens and can also cause chemical injury to the lungs
2) Vaping is REALLY addictive – too many people quit smoking only to have a new costly and harmful addiction.
Why bring it up? Right now, EU is accepting feedback about regulating vaping products, especially flavours. (link in comments)
As #smoking declined, #BigTobacco diversified. Vape-giant Juul is 35% owned by tobacco-giant-formerly-known-as-Philip Morris. The industry that put out the infamous Frank Statement in 1954 has now pivoted to peddle vaping to teens and smokers (bubblegum flavoured vape, anyone?)
Developing brains of teens are at particular risk of vape addiction. The science behind harm? “nicotinic cholinergic receptors” in brain, heart, adrenal glands are activated by nicotine. It increases heart rate and the work the heart is doing when it beats. It affects mood and can cause anxiety. It can also cause reflux, nausea, loss of appetite. It can cause sleep problems, insomnia. It can cause local irritation (so throat, mouth, breathing.) It can also cause headache and palpitations. Long term, it can cause other problems including insulin resistance.
But can it help you quit smoking? Studies say it does BUT participants were still vaping at the end. Many of my vaping patients identify as #exsmokers While some did manage to use vape only short-term, that’s not common.
Campaigns like RespectVapers in Ireland are counting on this #addiction – there is a potential conflict of interest in this campaign. Though misrepresented as a public health campaign, these are not health experts, physicians, patient-advocacy groups. They are vaping companies. A cynic might just see an industry interested in protecting and expanding a market – and not just for short-term customers.
Regulation of vape to prevent growing number of youths becoming addicted is essential, and this includes restricting marketing of child-friendly flavours as well as false information on the health risks and benefits.
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