According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, electronic cigarette usage, also known as vaping, is increasing. The number of vape users increased from an estimated 11.5 million in 2019 to more than 15 million in 2023. The CDC also estimates 1.6 million middle and high school students as users of electronic cigarettes.
Research has identified more than 2,000 chemicals being used in vape products that can irritate the lungs, increase blood pressure, and increase the risk of cancer.
“Vaping is not safe,” said Dr. Irfan Waheed, pulmonologist at Med Center Health Western Kentucky Heart & Lung. “These vaping products contain propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin. On their own, these products are generally considered safe for consumption, but when they burn in vape products, they release a chemical called formaldehyde, which is a known cause of cancer. The vape products also use nickel, tungsten, and lead. When the vape product heats up, it releases toxic materials.”
Electronic cigarettes usually contain fewer harmful chemicals than the deadly mix of 7,000 chemicals in smoke from cigarettes. However, this does not make e-cigarettes safe. Since e-cigarettes are a relatively new invention, scientists are still learning about the immediate and long-term health effects of using them.
Vaping has been shown to cause damage to the lungs and other organs, breathing issues, and it is known to contain cancer-causing ingredients. Vaping can also be extremely harmful to young people.
Nicotine poses unique dangers to children and young adults because their brains are still developing. Nicotine can harm brain development, which continues until about age 25. Using a vape product during adolescence can harm the parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control. Nicotine is also an addictive chemical, especially to younger people.
“For some people it’s a habit,” said Dr. Waheed. “For some it’s an anxiety reliever. When a patient comes to see me, and they are trying to quit vaping or smoking, I first try to understand what the patient’s reasons are for addiction and what the brain is linking the vaping to. If I can understand what their perspective is, then I will be able to better direct them to help.”
Med Center Health strongly encourages people who are currently smoking or vaping to quit in order to improve their quality of life. That is why Med Center Health offers a variety of ways to help people quit smoking and vaping.
“Med Center Health has medical nicotine replacement patches and gum. We also have a nicotine inhaler and nose spray available. There is a medicine called Chantix available that helps to decrease the nicotine craving. We have all of these medical options to help you quit, and we also have counseling options.”
Med Center Health offers vaping cessation programs and encourages e-cigarette users to speak to a pulmonologist about quitting. Med Center Health offers a BREATHE Smoking Cessation Program that is available to anyone trying to quit smoking, vaping, or the use of any tobacco products.
The BREATHE Smoking Cessation Program (in conjunction with a nicotine replacement therapy) has shown to increase a person’s chances of successfully quitting by 50 percent.
To learn more, visit MedCenterHealth.org/Smoking-Cessation.
-submitted by Med Center Health
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