Vaping—inhalation of vapor from an electronic cigarette or vapes. Since more public areas have started to forbid smoking as well as the country's tobacco taxes have increased, vaping has grown in popularity among Filipinos, especially among the younger demographic. Around 82 million vape users globally were estimated by the Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR) in 2021, a 17% rise from 2020. 2.7 million Filipinos, or around 3% of the world's vape users, are among these figures as of 2021. Both the numbers and the number of health conditions linked to vaping continue to rise.
How Does Vape Work?
Most e-cigarettes are made up of four parts: a liquid solution cartridge, a heat source, a power source, and a mouthpiece. The liquid solution, or e-juice, is what creates the vapor, or aerosol, for e- cigarettes. This juice often includes propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin as a basis, along with water, nicotine, flavorings, and nicotine. The heating element is turned on by puffing or pressing a button, which causes the liquid in the cartridge that is intended for human inhalation to vaporize.
Is Vaping Safe?
Whilst vaping is less dangerous than smoking, it is still not without risk. On April 10, the FDA released an advisory in which it reiterated the WHO's claim that there is no scientific evidence to support the safety and effectiveness of the product and claimed that the electronic cigarette is not a validated form of nicotine replacement treatment. Vaping can expose you to more substances that could be harmful to your health and to be specific it may cause lung damage.
The tobacco-derived substance nicotine is present in both conventional and electronic cigarettes. 99% of e-cigarettes, according to a study by Marynak, et.al (2017), contain nicotine. The following are some of the primary components, aside from nicotine, in e-juices (Hahn, et.al, 2014):
- Propylene glycol (average 57 g/100 g) - a typical food additive that is also employed in the production of antifreeze, paint solvent, and synthetic smoke for fog machines
- Diethylene glycol (average 10 g/100 g) – a toxic substance found in antifreeze that has been related to respiratory diseases
Besides the aforementioned, e-juices also contain the following substances (American Lung Association, 2020; Mandal, 2019):
- Vegetable Glycerine- together with Propylene glycol may eventually result in pulmonary inflammation
- Carcinogens- substances that have been linked to cancer, such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde
- Acrolein- herbicide mostly used to destroy weeds, can harm the lungs permanently
- Diacetyl- substance connected to the lung condition bronchiolitis obliterans, also known as "popcorn lung,"
- Lead, tin, and other heavy metals
- Cadmium- a substance that is also present in traditional cigarettes; this can lead to sickness and breathing difficulties
- Benzene- a volatile organic compound (VOC) present in vehicle exhaust
- Particles that are ultrafine and can be inhaled deep into the lungs
Smoking has been strongly associated with both cancer and cardiovascular disease. Nevertheless, your body can recuperate and recover more quickly if you discontinue as soon as possible. The optimal smoking cessation program or methods for you should be discussed with your doctor. Never forget that a "better option" does not necessarily equate to a "healthier alternative."
//Kezziah Allyson M. Ruperez, CMU On-the-Job Trainee
References:
Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (2022). 2022 Briefing Paper. 82 million vapers worldwide in 2021: the GSTHR estimate. Retrieved from https://gsthr.org/briefing-papers/82-million-vapers- worldwide-in-2021-the-gsthr-estimate/
Makati Medical Center (2022). The Hot Truth: 8 Vaping Facts You Need to Know Right Now. Retrieved from https://www.makatimed.net.ph/blogs/the-hot-truth-8-vaping-facts-you-need-to-know-right-now/
Mateo, J. (2021). 77% say vapes pose serious threat to users – survey. The Philippine Star. Retrieved from https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/11/11/2140435/77-say-vapes-pose-serious-threat- users-survey
