Vaping: Why e-cigarettes may be more dangerous than we realized

What are e-cigarettes?

E-cigarettes are available in many shapes and sizes including pipes, pens, USB flash drives and are known by many different names including mods, vape pens, vaporizers and e-cigs. It includes a batter that turns the device on, a heating element that heats the e-liquid and turns it into vapor, a cartridge that holds the liquid, and a mouthpiece or opening used to inhale the vapor. The FDA has classified e-cigarettes as tobacco products.

What is JUUL?

JUULing refers to using one brand of e-cigarette called JUUL. This is very popular among teenagers. All JUUL products contain nicotine. They look like USB flash drives and can be charged in a computer. There small size makes it easy to hide and hard to detect because they give off very little vapor.

How do e-cigarettes work?

E-cigarette heat a liquid which turns into a vapor which is inhaled into the lungs.

Do e-cigarettes contain nicotine?

The liquid in e-cigarettes contains nicotine. This is the same addictive drug that is in regular cigarettes. There are some e-cigarette brands that claim to be nicotine free but have been found to contain nicotine.

What is in the aerosol of an e-cigarette?

The aerosol that comes out of an e-cigarette is not water vapor and can be harmful. The vapor can contain nicotine and other substances that are harmful to the body. In addition to nicotine, e-cigarette vapor contain propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin that are substances used to produce stage fog. This is found to increase lung and airway irritation after exposure. E-cigarettes may also contain other chemicals such as THC, volatile organic compounds, flavoring chemicals and formaldehyde.

What are the health affects of e-cigarettes?

E-cigarettes are still new; therefore more research is needed to know what the long-term effects may be. However, there have been recent reports of serious lung disease in some people using e-cigarettes. Symptoms include: cough, trouble breathing, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, fever or weight loss.

Is e-cigarette use less harmful than smoking regular cigarettes?

Research has found that e-cigarette use is likely to be less harmful for adults than smoking regular cigarettes. But the health affects of long term use are not known.

Use of e-cigarettes by youth

No youth of any age should use e-cigarettes or any tobacco products. All JUULs and e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is an addictive product. There are evidence that nicotine also harms the brain development of youth.

According to the CDC:

There are 805 lung injury cases reported in the US. All reported patients have a history of e-cigarette product use
12 deaths confirmed
69% of patients are male
62% of patients are 18 – 34 years old
16% of patients are under 18 years
Products containing THC play a role
Still unsure of the specific chemical exposure causing lung injuries

CDC recommends while the investigation is ongoing to refrain from using e-cigarette or vaping products.

Anyone who uses an e-cigarette or vaping product should not buy these products off the street and should not modify or add any substance to these products that are not intended by the manufacturer

Youth and young adults should NOT use e-cigarettes or vaping products
Women who are pregnant should NOT use e-cigarette or vaping products