“The available data on the use of e-cigarettes as a means to quit cigarette smoking has been inconclusive, with some data showing some degree of improvement in quit rates, while other studies showed no benefit,” mentioned Dr Puah.
“In one study, although there was an improvement in quit rates, there was prolonged usage of e-cigarettes and there is still no long-term data on the effects of regular inhalation of vaporised fumes through an ENDS device,” he mentioned.
WHY IS VAPING SEEN AS LESS HARMFUL, THOUGH ALSO DANGEROUS?
For one, customers have a tendency to contemplate vaping as much less addictive than common smoking. It doesn’t assist that the e-liquid or vape juice that’s vaporised by the e-cigarette is available in candy-like flavours. “The aerosol inhaled from e-cigarettes may have nice smells and flavours. It might be perceived in the same vein as sweets or breath fresheners,” mentioned Chew.
Moreover, you don’t must burn something to vape, not like smoking cigarettes, she added. And since there isn’t a burning concerned, which individuals are likely to affiliate with the creation of cancer-causing carcinogens, vaping is “regarded as less harmful”. “Without having to light up, it is convenient to vape undetected anywhere,” she mentioned.
But irrespective of the way you smoke it, these units nonetheless produce nicotine, mentioned Leslie Chua, a senior pharmacist with TTSH. “Nicotine is a known addictive chemical and has been found to lower the threshold for addiction and a gateway drug to marijuana and cocaine. It has also been shown to affect brain development.”
The identical false impression might additionally come from being advised that the nicotine used is “extracted and purified from raw tobacco, hence their perception that there are fewer toxic chemicals compared to cigarettes”, mentioned Dr Chan.