In the last fifty years, the health effects of smoking have been well documented. We now know that the combustion of tobacco and its associated tar and smoke inhalation can cause serious, irreversible damage to our health. Side effects of smoking include:
- Lung cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
- Bronchitis
- Emphysema
- Yellowing skin, nails, and hair
- Premature aging
- Poor vision
- Constricted blood vessels
The list goes on. Fortunately, the 21st century has paved the way for a healthier alternative for nicotine addicts. The invention of E-cigarettes is a recent development, and it’s one that has helped many people quit smoking.
E-cigarettes (or vapes as they are also named) may not be risk-free, but they are considerably better for you than smoking cigarettes. Here’s why:
E-Cigarettes Produce Less Smoke Than Traditional Cigarettes
Both cigarettes and e-cigarettes contain nicotine, however, lighting a standard cigarette burns tobacco, also letting off thousands of harmful chemicals that e-cigarettes don’t. Instead, a solvent known as an e-liquid (or “vape juice”) made from food flavorings is heated to provide a vapor or aerosol. Therefore, there is less smoke inhalation and fewer health problems by association. Excessive smoke intake can cause damage to airways, as well as difficulty breathing, heavy coughs and carbon monoxide poisoning.
E-Cigarettes Produce Fewer Harmful Chemicals Than Cigarettes
There are over 5000 chemicals contained in cigarette smoke, 70 of which are known carcinogens. Unlike cigarettes, e-cigarettes do not produce tar or carbon monoxide, both of which can be incredibly harmful to the body. The process of smoking an e-cigarette does not involve combustion, so fewer carcinogenic products enter the body.
Nicotine Is Only Part of the Problem
Nicotine is a stimulant, which means once it’s no longer present in the bloodstream, you will experience a crash in energy and crave more as a result. Over time, this leads to addiction and then withdrawal.
When we look at the ill effects of smoking, nicotine is often considered the root of the problem. However, research suggests it is the by-products of smoking that are responsible for many of its side effects, not nicotine. When you smoke a cigarette, you inhale thousands of partially burned particles that create tar in your body. Tar is considered to be the most dangerous side effect of smoking and is thought to be the main culprit for lung cancer.
That’s not to give credence to the idea that nicotine is good for you, but recent studies indicate that, in comparison to smoke and tar intake, it is less harmful. What’s more, e-cigarette cartridges usually contain sixteen to twenty-four milligrams of nicotine, which is up to sixty milligrams less than in traditional cigarettes. If you’re thinking about switching to vaporized cigarettes, you may wish to learn more about liquid nicotine before going ahead.
In Conclusion
Addiction is a serious problem, and it’s not always sensible to just quit. The withdrawal effects of quitting smoking can be severe, so it’s a good idea to acquaint yourself with a safer alternative such as an e-cigarette in the meantime.
