Vaping and the Myths Around It
As I’m sure you are well aware, vaping has been a topic of great controversy, with media stories usually presenting it as either equally dangerous—if not more so—than smoking. But a lot of these stories are based in ignorance or false knowledge, and I find that a little unfair, don’t you?Many health agencies, notably Public Health England (PHE), have concluded that although not 100% safe, vaping is a far safer choice than smoking cigarettes. Research indicates that vapes have a small concentration of the harmful chemicals present in cigarettes. Even with this research, misconceptions persist - and trust me, I’ve heard them all! - causing many to still believe that vaping has the same risks as smoking.But I’m here to set the record straight. In this blog, I’ll explore some of the most common myths about vaping and bust them wide open with factual evidence.
Vapes Give You ‘Popcorn Lung’
Defining Popcorn Lung
Popcorn lung—scientifically known as "bronchiolitis obliterans"—is an uncommon but severe disease that damages the small airways in the lungs, producing coughing, wheezing, and dyspnoea (shortness of breath). Workers in a popcorn facility who came into contact with extremely high diacetyl levels—a chemical used in butter flavoring—were discovered to have the illness.
The Facts
- Diacetyl was once present in some e-liquids, but it has since been banned in UK TPD-compliant vaping products due to safety regulations, so you can rest easy.
- Cigarettes contain significantly higher levels of diacetyl than e-liquids ever did, yet smoking has not been definitively linked to popcorn lung.
- No scientific studies have proven that vaping causes popcorn lung, and reputable health organisations, including PHE, have dismissed this claim.
- The levels of diacetyl found in some e-liquids were hundreds of times lower than in cigarettes, making the risk negligible.
- If you’re a UK vaper, you can be sure that TPD-compliant e-liquids do not contain diacetyl, eliminating potential risks.
Vapes Aren’t Regulated, and We Don’t Know What’s in Them
The Regulations in Place
A few times over the years, I have heard the argument that vaping products are unregulated, which leads some to believe producers may include whatever substances they choose. But I am here to inform you that this is not the case. Under the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) and the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016, the UK boasts among the toughest vaping rules in the world.
The Facts
- The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), guarantees they must undergo quality and safety testing before reaching you, controlling and monitoring all vape goods available in the UK.
- Vape manufacturers have to provide comprehensive ingredient lists and product data, so the components of e-liquids are totally visible and trackable, so you know what they are and where they come from.
- Laws restrict the nicotine in e-liquids to 20mg/ml, therefore guaranteeing responsible and safe use.
- To guide your decisions, packaging and labelling calls for health warnings, childproof lids, and ingredient lists.
- Regular compliance audits help UK manufacturers and vape stores to guarantee they meet these rules.
Vapes Must Be Harmful Because They Contain Nicotine
Understanding Nicotine
If you’ve smoked or vaped for a while, then you’ll know that nicotine or Nic in the vaping world, is an addictive substance found in both cigarettes and vape e-liquids, and I’ve seen many people assume it is responsible for smoking-related diseases. Once again, they’re wrong, and I’ll show you why! Studies have revealed that the detrimental consequences of smoking arise from the combustion of tobacco; nicotine itself is not the source of major health problems.
The Facts
- Unlike cigarettes, vapes lack tar, carbon monoxide, and the dozens of dangerous compounds created when you burn tobacco, so none of those terrible substances will find their way into your body.
- Widely used to help you quit smoking, nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) including patches and gums demonstrate that nicotine alone is not the primary health concern.
- Though it is still an addictive chemical, studies reveal that vaping nicotine poses low direct health hazards. but you should still use it carefully.
- With vapes, you can progressively lower nicotine levels over time, which makes them a great tool for anyone trying to give up smoking completely.
Exposure to Vapour from Vapes is Harmful to Bystanders
Second-Hand Smoke vs. Vapour
A well-known health risk, secondhand smoke has resulted in bans on smoking in indoor public places. Many people believe that vaping vapour has the same hazards, however this is not at all true. This video by the UK Health Security Agency breaks down the facts for you.
The Facts
- Vape kit vapour does not contain carbon monoxide, tar or other toxic chemicals that are found in cigarettes.
- You can breathe easy - literally - as a 2018 Public Health England study found no determinable risk to bystanders from second-hand vaping.
- Your e-liquid vapour consists of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, nicotine, and flavouring; these are regarded as safe for you to inhale at normal exposure levels.
- If you have a respiratory illness, you might still be sensitive to vapour, although reactions are usually no different from those brought on by pollen, air fresheners, or chilly air.
Vapes Will Lead Young People to Smoking
Youth Vaping Trends
I’ve seen concerns raised that young people who experiment with vaping may transition to smoking traditional cigarettes, reversing decades of progress in tobacco control. As someone who began smoking in my teens, I truly believe that if vapes had been more prevalent, then I would have quit the habit much more quickly or not have smoked at all.
The Facts
- Studies show that while some young people try vaping, regular use is almost entirely confined to those who already smoke.
- Despite growing knowledge and the availability of vaping goods, young smoking rates in the UK have kept dropping.
- There is no reliable data indicating vaping "normalises" smoking or motivates non- smokers to start the habit. Of the vapers I have personally discussed this subject with, none of them have said that vaping has made them want to smoke.
- Surveys indicate that young people continue to view smoking as harmful, even as vaping rates rise.
Vapes Are a ‘Trojan Horse’ for the Tobacco Industry
The Role of the Tobacco Industry
Some critics believe that vaping is a strategy by tobacco companies to maintain nicotine addiction and keep people smoking. However, the data suggests otherwise, and I, for one, can attest to the fact that vaping helped me quit smoking for good!
The Facts
- The proportion of vapers who are ex-smokers has increased significantly in the UK.
- Over half of the 3.2 million UK vapers have altogether quit smoking - I’m one of them!
- Seven hundred seventy thousand people in the UK have successfully quit both smoking and vaping entirely.
- The UK’s smoking rates have fallen to a record low of 14.9%, indicating that vaping is contributing to a decrease in smoking rather than contributing to it.
Vapes Don’t Help You Quit Smoking
Comparing Quit Methods
Despite the mountains of evidence that vaping helps people quit smoking - and I’m one of those people - some people still believe it is not an effective quitting tool. Once again, I’m here to prove them wrong!
The Facts
- The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) conducted a 2019 UK clinical study whereby vaping was proven to be twice as successful as nicotine replacement treatment (NRT) in enabling smokers to quit.
- Those in the vape group saw faster decreases in coughing, phlegm, and other respiratory symptoms than those on NRT.
- Public Health England has said time and again that one of the most useful aids for quitting smoking is vaping.
Summary
If you had any misunderstandings, by now you should have realised that smoking and vaping are not the same and should not be treated as such. While I agree that there is still some risk, the harm vaping can cause is tiny compared to the damage smoking does, and it has helped millions quit - and I'm one of the millions, as I have discussed a few times in this post, it has helped!
I firmly feel that the 7 million smokers in the UK should have accurate knowledge to enable them to make wise decisions regarding their health. You have to understand that vaping is a useful harm-reducing strategy rather than depending on myths and misunderstandings.
If you or someone you know want to stop smoking, think about moving to vaping as a significantly less dangerous substitute. And if you’re worried about not enjoying it, I can confidently tell you there are thousands of tasty flavours to try - and Ecigone is the best place to buy them!
Conclusion
I can readily confirm that vaping is an excellent tool for quitting smoking, and as this blog states, it has helped millions of others do so. If you need more information on some of the topics mentioned here, such as tobacco product directive laws, our helpful blog will help you.
