Are you looking to quit smoking? Have you tried to quit several times with little to no success? Are you frustrated and running out of ideas that could help you kick the habit for good? You are not alone! In fact, 7 out of 10 tobacco users want to quit and may struggle with these same questions. Some tobacco users might be tempted to turn to electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes, vape pens, and other vaping devices) to ease the transition from traditional cigarettes to not smoking at all.1 Though this may seem like a novel option for some, the question we must ask is whether using e-cigarettes or vaping is better for you than using tobacco products. According to Michael Blaha, M.D., M.P.H., director of clinical research at the Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease, there are several important factors to consider:
1. E-cigarette aerosol is NOT harmless “water vapor.”2
The aerosol used in e-cigarettes contains chemicals that can be harmful to health, including:
. Nicotine2
. Ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs2
. Flavorings such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious lung disease2
. Volatile organic compounds2
. Cancer-causing chemicals2
. Heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead2
2. The nicotine in tobacco and vaping products is addictive.
According to Dr. Blaha, nicotine is a toxic substance that raises your blood pressure and spikes adrenaline which increases your heart rate and the likelihood of having a heart attack. 1Emerging data also suggests links to chronic lung disease and asthma.1
3. Electronic cigarettes are just as addictive as traditional ones.1
Many e-cigarette users get even more nicotine than they would from a combustible tobacco product as many vaping devices offer extra-strength cartridges, which have a higher concentration of nicotine to get a greater hit of the substance. 1This can be counterproductive to an individual’s goal to quit as higher doses of nicotine result in a stronger nicotine addiction.
4. E-cigarettes are not an FDA approved cessation tool.1
E-cigarettes have not received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval as smoking cessation devices. 1There are many FDA approved products on the market that are effective for quitting nicotine including the nicotine patches, gum, and lozenges.
If you are a tobacco user looking to quit smoking, help is free! Gulfcoast South Area Health Education Center (GSAHEC), as part of the Tobacco Free Florida AHEC Cessation Program—offers free tobacco cessation sessions that are available to help someone quit all forms of tobacco. These group cessation sessions, held virtually and in-person, provide information about the effects of tobacco use, the benefits of quitting, and will assist you with developing your own customized quit plan. Free nicotine replacement therapy in the form of patches, gum, or lozenges (if medically appropriate and while supplies last) are provided with the session. Attendees will also receive a participant workbook, quit kit materials, and follow up support from a trained tobacco treatment specialist. Contact us today at 866-534-7909 or visit www.tobaccofreeflorida.com/groupquitcalendar to schedule a class or learn more about the program!
Gulfcoast South Area Health Education Center (GSAHEC)
www.tobaccofreeflorida.com/groupquitcalendar
866-534-7909
References:
1. Blaha, M. J. (2022, January 20). 5 vaping facts you need to know.
Johns Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved August 5, 2022, from
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/5-truths-you-need-to-know-about-vaping#:~:text=2%3A%20Research%20suggests%20vaping%
20is%20bad%20for%20your%20heart%20and%20lungs.&text=It%20causes%20you%20to%20crave,of%20having%20a%20heart%20attack.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, June 23).
Quick facts on the risks of e-cigarettes for kids, teens, and young adults. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved
August 5, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/Quick-Facts-on-the-Risks-of-E-cigarettes-for-Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults.html?s_cid=OSH_emg_GL0004&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_7KXBhCoARIsAPdPTfhcsghfeM1Nt942E9T9NEC5ZacheqTfaRJoU10p52M2wpiyEe8h9pQa
AqhPEALw_wcB#why-is-nicotine-unsafe