Vaping has become a popular trend, especially among young people, but many do not know what exactly is bad about it. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov) website, vaping involves inhaling aerosol from e-cigarettes, which contain nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals. Many believe vaping is a safe alternative to smoking, but the truth is that vaping poses significant health risks.
Vaping can cause irreversible lung damage to individuals, including conditions like “popcorn lung” (a condition that affects the bronchioles) and EVALI (e-cigarette/vaping-associated lung injury). According to The National Institutes of Health (nimh.nih.gov) website, scientists conducted an experiment that was performed in three layers which focuses on conducting research amongst people or living things rather than upon objects. The first layer being the effect of vaping on lung function; the second layer, the effect of vaping on lung structure and inducing lung injury; and the third layer, the effect of vaping on the lung and a possible carcinogenic (having the potential to cause cancer) effect. While vaping has positioned itself as an aid to reduce smoking, the discussion surrounding its impact on lung health requires careful consideration. Dr. Richard D. Lippmann, MD, a local pediatrician, said, “As far as the health risks, asthma, lung disease are not good, so I don’t see any real benefit from vaping. I only see negative effects for your health.” The lack of conclusive evidence on the long-term effects of vaping underscores the need for further research. However, existing data suggest that vaping is not without risks, and its potential association with respiratory issues and cancer underscores the urgency of public health interventions.
Nicotine in e-cigarettes can increase heart rate and blood pressure, leading to cardiovascular problems. Also according to The National Institutes of Health (nimh.nih.gov) website, Vaping has been cited as a new public health crisis. The aerosols produced by vaping contain harmful toxins and carcinogens like cigarette smoking that lead to cardiovascular disease and systemic inflammation. Individuals who use vaping products have decreased heart rate variability, indicating a shift towards sympathetic dominance while disrupting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. This increases the risk of heart attack and sudden cardiac death. Vaping products have become a popular alternative to conventional cigarettes in recent years. There has been a perception that vaping serves as a “healthier” alternative and has thus increased across all age groups, especially among teenagers and young adults. Vaping and its additives have been shown to have various implications across organ systems, including pulmonary and cardiovascular systems. Meanwhile, additional research efforts are needed to gain insight into the pathophysiology of vaping on cardiovascular disease onset, progression, and outcomes. Vaping likely negatively impacts the cardiovascular system. Further research is warranted, especially as the popularity of vaping continues to rise among younger populations, to elucidate its long-term cardiovascular impact.
E-cigarettes contain highly addictive nicotine, which can harm brain development in youth. According to the Yale Medicine (yalemedicine.org) website, nicotine can spell trouble at any life stage, but it is particularly dangerous before the brain is fully developed, which happens around age 25. “Adolescents don’t think they will get addicted to nicotine, but when they do want to stop, they find it is very difficult,” says Yale neuroscientist Marine Picciotto, who has studied the basic science behind nicotine addiction for decades. Also according to Yale Medicine, the reward system, called the mesolimbic dopamine system, is one of the more primitive parts of the brain. It developed as a positive reinforcement for behavior we need to survive, like eating. Because the mechanism is so engrained in the brain, it is hard to resist. When a teen inhales vapor laced with nicotine, the drug is quickly absorbed through the blood vessels lining the lungs. It reaches the brain in about 10 seconds. There, nicotine particles fit lock-and-key into a type of acetylcholine receptor located on neurons (nerve cells) throughout the brain. Nicotine can also cause physical changes in the brain, some temporary, and others that some researchers, like Picciotto, worry could be long-lasting. “There’s hope that the current vaping epidemic won’t lead to major health problems like lung cancer or pulmonary disease,” Picciotto said. “But we may still see an epidemic of cognitive function problems and attention problems. The changes made in the brain could persist,” he added.
Vaping is bad for individuals because it can cause irreversible lung damage, cardiovascular issues, and nicotine addiction, especially in youth. Dr. Lippmann, added, “When it comes to kids and vaping, there are a couple of concerns. One is why the kids are doing it? Is this to look cool? Is this a need to meet? I don’t think most kids feel like, ‘Oh, I need a cigarette, or I need a vape.’ I think it’s to look cool. I think the long-term concerns are for them to start saying, ‘Well, vaping is good; let me try the next thing,’ which is cigarettes because it makes them look good, which it doesn’t.”
If someone is struggling with nicotine addiction, resources and websites like the NYS Quitline and DropTheVape are resources to help with this issue.
