6 myths about e-cigarettes
Electronic cigarettes were first offered to consumers in 2003. The start of sales was accompanied by impressive advertising, positioning the new product as a convenient and, most importantly, safe substitute for tobacco products. Many smokers, who have lost hope of getting rid of their addiction, have switched to using electronic cigarettes. Gradually, the ranks of the so-called vaping supporters were joined by people less sophisticated in the use of nicotine, who believed that they could smoke in this way without harming their health.
Now, more than 10 years later, every person has the opportunity to obtain reliable information about the real properties of electronic cigarettes. Despite this, they are still surrounded by many myths that we will try to dispel today.
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Quality e-cigarettes are WHO certified
It is not true. Some manufacturers of electronic cigarettes have actually tried to certify them, but this procedure requires lengthy and thorough research. Until now, none of the healthcare organizations have officially approved products of this kind. The seller who claims otherwise is not credible.
Electronic cigarettes are much more dangerous than traditional ones
Tobacco smoke contains nicotine and tar hazardous to health. It contains hydrocyanic acid, ammonia, phenol, acetone, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, antimony, arsenic, lead, as well as a number of radioactive substances with carcinogenic properties. This mixture regularly enters the smoker's body, which cannot but affect his condition.
Consumers of electronic cigarettes in this sense risk much less. The substance they inhale consists mainly of water vapor. Vaping mixes are flavored with safe food additives. In addition, e-liquids contain propylene glycol and food-grade glycerin, neutral substances that do not have a negative effect on the body. Nicotine is also included in the mixtures, but its amount in the vapor is much lower than in tobacco smoke. Vaping e-liquids with reduced nicotine content and completely nicotine-free versions are also available.
Electronic cigarettes are completely harmless
Unfortunately, this cannot be asserted with complete certainty. Vaping nicotine blends is not safe anyway. Do not forget that full-fledged studies of the properties of electronic cigarettes have not yet been carried out.
That is why the authorities of some states do not approve of the use of such devices. So, they are completely banned in Jordan, and electronic cigarettes are not allowed to advertise in Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands and a number of other countries.
One of the components of inhaled vapor is antifreeze
The source of this misconception appears to be information that vaping mixes contain propylene glycol. The named substance is indeed part of antifreeze, but in itself is completely safe. Propylene glycol is actively used in the food industry, as well as in the production of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Electronic cigarette helps to quit smoking
For many smokers, this statement has become an incentive to switch from regular cigarettes to electronic cigarettes. This is actually a myth. The addiction to smoking arises from the influence of two main factors: ingestion of nicotine (chemical dependence) and addiction to the very process of smoking cigarettes (physical dependence). When using electronic devices, both factors continue to act, so it is impossible to assume that the transition from smoking to vaping is the same as getting rid of a bad habit. Many smokers who prefer vaping report that they smoke more often because they believe there is no health hazard.
In our country, users of electronic cigarettes are not subject to legal restrictions, with the help of which society tries to minimize the harm caused by tobacco users to others (bans on smoking in public places, etc.). This also contributes to an increase in the number of "vapors" and an increase in the intensity of use of electronic cigarettes.
Electronic cigarettes are explosive
This is not true. The cigarette itself cannot explode, but the process of releasing water vapor occurs when using a special accumulator (battery). Damage to it or improper location in the device case can really cause a short circuit. However, modern high-quality models of electronic cigarettes are equipped with protection against such troubles.
Particular attention should be paid to the rules for storing e-liquids, since they contain a fairly large amount of nicotine. The mixture must be kept in a tightly closed container, out of the reach of children and pets.
A vaping enthusiast should understand that neither electronic cigarettes nor the liquids filled in them are subject to state certification. Containers with mixtures are usually labeled with a description of the composition, but no one controls their quality. The safety of using these devices depends entirely on the manufacturer's good faith. Therefore, you should not get carried away with vaping: it is possible that this activity is not as harmless as it is commonly believed.
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Maria Kulkes Medical journalist About the author
Education: First Moscow State Medical University named after I. M. Sechenov, specialty "General Medicine".
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