The Dangers of Vaping
Submitted by Tracie Horton , CEO / Executive Director The Adanta Group
You have likely seen it in public – an individual encompassed by a large visible cloud of aerosol , similar to smoke but less dense . Welcome to vaping , one of the most common health risks affecting today ’ s youth . According to the Centers for Disease Control , in the United States , youth use e-cigarettes , or vapes , more than any other tobacco product with 1.63 million students in middle and high school reporting use . The popular misconception is that vaping is safer than smoking regular cigarettes , but the reality is no tobacco products , including e-cigarettes , are safe , especially for children , teens and young adults . Let ’ s dig a bit deeper to learn more about the dangers of vaping and e-cigarette use .
Vaping is not safe .
Vaping refers to the act of inhaling vapor produced from an electronic cigarette ( e-cigarette ) or a similar device . It is NOT harmless “ water vapor .” These devices are powered by a battery and heat up a liquid ( called e-liquid or vape juice ) to create an AEROSOL that you inhale . The e-cigarette liquid usually contains nicotine , flavorings , up to 30 cancer-causing chemicals , heavy metals such as nickel , tin , and lead , as well as other chemicals like propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin . The aerosol is inhaled into the lungs where the nicotine and chemicals cross over into the bloodstream . Nicotine , when inhaled , affects the brain and body by stimulating the release of dopamine , a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward , but over time it can lead to addiction . Additionally , nicotine exposure , especially in young people , can
impair brain development , leading to problems with attention , learning , and impulse control .
Vaping occurs through the use of an e-cigarette . E-cigarettes were originally introduced as a smoking cessation aid , with the promise of helping smokers quit by offering a safer alternative to traditional tobacco products . They were made available in a variety of flavors such as fruit , mint , and dessert , making them very popular to youth and adolescents because flavors are more appealing for this age group than traditional tobacco flavor . Users of vape products have no suggested limits related to how many inhales are equal to one cigarette , increasing the amount of nicotine received , which does not reduce use or aid in quitting . In fact , some studies have shown that one vaping pod or disposable vape has the equivalent of about 1 pack / 20 cigarettes , so it is possible that frequent e-cigarette users may end up smoking more than a traditional smoker .
There are many types of e-cigarettes , including disposable devices , refillable devices , and devices with pre-filled cartridges or pods .
• Disposable e-cigarettes come pre-filled and may be rechargeable . They are not designed to be refilled .
• Refillable e-cigarettes are rechargeable and have a tank or chamber that is filled with e-liquid . Some refillable devices can be modified to change the amount of aerosol produced or the strength of the delivered substance .
• E-cigarettes with a pre-filled cartridge or pod are rechargeable and intended for reuse .
Some e-cigarettes look like USB flash drives , pens , smartphones , highlighters , toys , and other types of easily concealed products .
28 • SEKY - Southeast Kentucky Life March 2025