In a previous post, I mentioned that cigarette smoking in the US had declined to the lowest level since 1965, when records were first kept. I also noted that the use of “E-cigarettes” or “vaping” had increased. Thus, while cigarette smoking has decreased, people have found alternate ways to inhale nicotine. Publications by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Journal of the American Medical Association have documented the rise of the use of E-cigarettes and expressed special concern for the health of minors who vape. While marketed as a “safer” alternative to tobacco smoking, evidence is increasing that vaping also poses significant health risks.

More than 1,600 cases of severe respiratory problems and 37 deaths have been attributed to vaping in the US. Vaping can also damage the heart and the brain, increase blood pressure, and narrow the arteries. This has led to the banning of some E-cigarettes in some areas of the country. At present it is not clear what the actual toxic agent might be, although many cases of lung damage are associated with vaping THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Other suspects are the flavorings and other oils present in vaping products.

Two other big unknowns are the long-term effects of vaping and the effects of vaping by individuals less than 18 years of age. We don’t know the chronic risks of vaping since these products have not been on the market for many years as yet. Human lungs are still developing through the teenage years and insults to relatively young respiratory systems could be more harmful than those that occur in full-grown adults. At present it is not known whether vaping will actually lead to lower levels of morbidity and mortality than tobacco smoking among the population as a whole (especially since minors can much more easily vape than smoke). What is clear is that vaping is not totally “safe”.

Until the above issues are resolved, the CDC recommends the following:
1) if you are not currently a cigarette smoker or a vaper, don’t start smoking or vaping;
2) if you are a young adult, or a pregnant woman, you are at increased risk if you do vape;
3) if you do vape, don’t vape THC and avoid street-bought or modified vaping products;
4) if you are vaping to break a cigarette smoking habit, stop vaping and use other methods of nicotine replacement.
5) If despite all the above warnings, you still want to vape, monitor yourself for difficulty breathing and other respiratory and other organ system issues which could signal serious medical problems for you.