Over the past five years, vaping has become extremely popular among teens. The number of teens vaping has increased almost 900% since 2014.1 Sometimes known as juuling, vaping is the use of an electronic smoking device in which a liquid containing flavored nicotine or THC is heated and inhaled by the user. While companies like JUUL try to market their vape products as healthier alternatives to smoking cigarettes, vapes can also seriously damage your body.
Effects of vaping on your brain
Nicotine, the primary ingredient in most vapes, is extremely addictive.1 It can get to the point where you can’t even go a few hours without craving a hit and can cause you to experience withdrawal symptoms.
Just like traditional cigarettes, vapes are also toxic. The chemicals in the vapor spike your adrenaline and raise your blood pressure, increasing your risk of a heart attack.1 Also, teens who vape are much more likely to start smoking cigarettes down the road.1
Effects of vaping on your lungs
You may have seen vaping in the news recently. Thousands of people in the United States have developed a severe lung illness after vaping, with symptoms including coughing up blood, chest pain, wheezing, fever and vomiting.3
Things to know:
- In Maryland alone, there have been 46 cases of vaping-associated lung injury as of November 5, 2019.3
- 39 deaths in the U.S. have occurred due to this disease.2
- One Michigan teen’s lungs were so badly scarred from vaping that he needed a double lung transplant to survive.
So-called ‘natural’ or ‘safely extracted’ vapors in sealed cartridges are not safe, including Juul. Studies from the CDC have suggested that Vitamin B acetate, a chemical found in vape juice, is a cause of the severe lung damage some users are experiencing.2 To prevent yourself from experiencing these symptoms, it is strongly suggested that you avoid all vape products. For more information about this investigation, visit https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html#what-we-know.
Effects of vaping on your heart
Not only do vapes damage your lungs, evidence shows that they can also harm your heart, just like traditional cigarettes.
- Vapers have higher levels of unhealthy cholesterol compared to nonsmokers.4
- Vapes also diminish your heart’s ability to pump blood, leading to worse athletic performance and a higher chance of dizziness, cramps and strokes.4
-by Tyler Lin
Sources:
[1]https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/5-truths-you-need-to-know-about-vaping[2]https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html#what-we-know[3]https://phpa.health.maryland.gov/OEHFP/EH/Pages/VapingIllness.aspx[4]https://www.nbcnews.com/health/vaping/e-cigarettes-hurt-heart-health-possibly-more-regular-cigarettes-n1079076