Every so often, a new article about another study on e-cigarettes or vaporizers and vaping comes out. Most of the time, that new article ends with a conclusion that is the exact opposite of the study that came before it. This has led to lots of confusion on whether or not e-cigarettes are bad for you or if vaping is a healthier alternative to smoking.
It is already an established fact that smoking combustible cigarettes is dangerous to one’s health, being one of the leading causes of cancer, stroke, respiratory disease, and heart disease. This is based on countless studies that have yielded consistent results and conclusions. This is because the smoke produced from burning either tobacco or herbal materials contain carcinogens, tar, and other toxins that are not meant to be consumed.
Some smokers have turned to vaping as a first step towards quitting. Many have turned to vaping because they see it as a healthier option without actually quitting. The latter being due to the fact that e-cigarettes and vaporizers are now being regulated. In the past, the liquid used in e-cigarettes weren’t made known and have been found to contain toxins such as carbonyls, heavy metals, and tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines (TSNAs), all of which are also found in tobacco smoke.
With the regulation, recent studies have shown that those who vape are exposed less to these toxins. E-liquids, which vapers put into e-cigarettes to generate vapor instead of smoke, are now widely known to consist of four main ingredients namely propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavouring, and nicotine.
Propylene glycol is a common food additive while vegetable glycerine is a sweet oil from vegetables such as corn. The flavouring in these e-liquids is the same flavouring we use in food that we eat. Some e-liquids do not come with nicotine. If it does, it contains pharmaceutical-grade nicotine that come in multiple strengths to help in the weaning process.
Dry herb, on the other hand, can now be consumed using advanced heating technology that vaporizers employ which produces vapor without actually burning it. This does away with inhaling carcinogens and tar yet still being able to consume the vapor in its purest and most potent form which is very important especially to those who consume marijuana for medical purposes.
Studies are continuously being conducted especially on the long-term effects of using vaporizers. Regardless, vaping is a healthier alternative than smoking with the user benefiting from the absence of toxins found in the traditional smoking of tobacco or marijuana.
