An e-cigarette, or vape, is a battery-operated device used for inhaling vapor with nicotine and flavoring. In 2021, there were about 9,000,000 vape users in the United States. From this, 75% of vape users were cigarette smokers.
Most individuals who have difficulty quitting the vice have opted to use e-cigarettes. However, there are specific side effects when switching from cigarettes to vaping.
What is an e-cigarette?
An electronic cigarette is a battery-operated device that imitates the shape of a cigarette, cigar, or pen used for inhaling vapor. The difference between a vape and a cigarette is that a vape does not contain tobacco. However, it has a solution of nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals, some of which may be harmful to individuals.
E-cigarettes may benefit adult smokers as they work as a substitute for cigarettes with relatively mild side effects. On the other hand, it may harm others who are not long-term smokers.
What Are the Side Effects of Switching from Cigarettes to Vape?
Using cigarettes has more potential health risks compared to vaping, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and lung cancer. However, vaping can still be harmful to the body. If you are thinking of switching from cigarettes to vaping, you may want to know how the body reacts to the transition.
- E-cigarettes do not have carbon monoxide in their solution. When you quit smoking, the lungs remove any residual carbon monoxide. That is why vaping aids in bringing blood oxygen levels closer to normal.
- The lungs withdraw debris and mucus that are built up in the organ when smoking tobacco.
- Former cigarette smokers attest that their sense of taste and smell improved after switching to vaping.
- The lungs have less exposure to tar. This enables them to breathe better.
- After three to nine months, the body begins to have better overall physical health. Symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath gradually improve.
- Five years after the transition, the risk of heart disease has been reduced by half.
- The risk of lung cancer drops to around half compared to active smokers.
Moreover, the following steps can help you have a more effortless and smoother transition from cigarette to vape:
- Be mentally prepared for the change. Make sure that you are determined to switch.
- Choose an e-cigarette device that is functioning well. There are some instances where the device explodes while in use. So, ensure that your vape is in good condition.
- Identify the e-liquid that suits your taste. This will help you stick to vaping instead of going back to cigarettes.
- Use the right amount of nicotine contained in an e-juice.
- Be patient. It is not an easy journey to change a habit. Enjoy the transition, and be consistent.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Using E-Cigarettes Or Vapes?
While these are relevant advantages of using vaping as a cigarette alternative, it still poses significant harmful threats to your body. Side effects of using a vape include:
- You still have a risk of having heart disease or lung cancer. However, this is lower compared to using cigarettes.
- It has a lower nicotine content but can still be addictive.
- Using e-cigarettes may lead to EVALI (e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated with lung injury). EVALI is a severe lung condition that is caused by using vapes. It can result in damage to your lungs. If you have EVALI, you may experience symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
- Since vaping is a battery-operated device, batteries may explode and cause severe injuries and burns.
The Lifestyle Change from Using a Vape
There are various lifestyle adjustments brought about by switching from regular cigarettes to vaping. Because they are exposed to less toxic compounds, vapers frequently believe that their choice is healthier than the alternatives. This belief, along with the fact that vaping is socially acceptable in a variety of contexts, leads to a rise in the prevalence of vaping in social circles.
Moreover, certain users may be able to save money by switching to vaping. The wide range of flavors that are available gives vaping a more personalized touch, and the portability of portable devices fits perfectly with an on-the-go lifestyle.
Even though some people claim that vaping has improved their well-being over smoking, further research is necessary to fully comprehend the health implications and potential long-term impacts of vaping on users’ lives and general health. Nonetheless, worries regarding vaping’s long-term health impacts continue, and changing laws may have an impact on the social dynamics around its usage.
Can Vapes Cause Accidents?
Unfortunately, vapes can cause accidents. Depending on the circumstances of how you use the vape, it may lead to several accidents, such as explosions.
The following scenarios may occur when using vape improperly:
- Vaping might be considered a type of distraction that raises the risk of accidents, much like texting or eating while operating a motor vehicle.
- Accidents involving malfunctioning or exploding vapes could result in harm.
When using vapes, people must put safety first and refrain from doing anything that can impair their ability to focus or coordinate, especially when driving or other demanding tasks call for concentration. Aside from this, proper usage should be practiced to avoid explosions and other malfunctions that may cause accidents.
Should I Consult A Lawyer If I’m Involved In A Vape Accident?
Sometimes, there are instances where the vape device explodes while being used. This can cause severe injuries and burns. There were 3,369 vape accidents and emergency department visits due to e-cigarette explosions and burn injuries from 2015 to 2019. According to the said figure, 676 cases were recorded in 2019 alone.
In some cases, vape accident claims may become difficult to prove. E-cigarette companies are financial powerhouses that can use their authority and power to gain the upper hand in negotiating compensation for your injuries.
When this happens to you, it is highly recommended that you seek legal advice from experts who can help you prove your case. It may be challenging to go against big corporations. However, personal injury lawyers who have decades of experience in product liability cases and have been helping victims of vaping explosions ever since the rise of the vape market.
