More and more smokers are turning to vaping in order to receive their nicotine fix. Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), are becoming a new trend, and celebrities from Cara Delevingne to Johnny Depp are using them. E-cigarettes contain three parts: a battery, an atomizer, and a replaceable cartridge. The cartridge has liquid nicotine, and when the cigarette is lit, the user inhales the vapor that comes out from the end of the cigarette.
This e-cigarette has triggered debate for health-care experts recently. The goal for these experts is to reduce the harms and disease caused by tobacco. Opponents of this say that because nicotine is addictive, it can cause nonsmokers and kids to start using tobacco. There is no health benefit, and there are potential health risks in vaping. Also, celebrities and advertisements who endorse e-cigarettes could make smoking popular again. California has declared vaping to be a health risk because there are at least ten chemicals in e-cigarettes that are on California’s list of carcinogens. According to New York Times, in a study conducted by Portland State University, a heavy user of the e-cigarette at a high voltage is 10 to 15 times more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than a regular smoker.
On the other hand, supporters of vaping believe that it is an alternative to smoking, similar to nicotine gum. The American Heart Association says that vaping is actually a lot safer than smoking. E-cigarettes have lower levels of tobacco-derived constituents than real cigarettes, and they present an opportunity for harm reduction if smokers use them as a substitute. There are also claims that the list of chemicals found in e-cigarettes only appear in trace quantities, far less than in tobacco. Obviously, if someone does not smoke, e-cigarettes will still be dangerous his/her health.
Although different health experts disagree on the effects of vaping, it is assured that vaping is still only an alternative for cigarettes, and despite the hype, non-smokers certainly should not start vaping.