|
|
(HealthNewsDigest.com) – If you’re thinking about quitting smoking, you’re not alone. Roughly 70 percent of people who smoke want to quit, but few manage to do so.
Managing to kick the habit is hard but recently many people are making the switch to vaping as a way to quit. Many consider vaping as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes. After all, there are fewer chemicals in an e-liquid.
But is vaping a good way to quit smoking? Find out if vaping is right for you as a smoking cessation method.
What Is Vaping?
Vaping is the act of inhaling the vapor produced by a vaping device. Vapes are battery-powered and rechargeable. When the battery warms up the heating component, the e-juice becomes an aerosol.
Types of Vape Devices
Other than e-cigarettes, other vaping devices include vape pens and personal vaporizers or vape mods. Vape pens and mods are similar, but mods are larger and produce more vapor.
Vape pens have refillable tanks for e-liquids. This makes them a fairly cost-effective vaping device. Their slender design also makes them portable and good for daily use.
Vape mods, sometimes called mechanical vape mods, are larger. This means they are bulkier than a vape pen but they also have more power. Mods create stronger hits and bigger vape clouds.
All About Vape Juices
Vape juice, e-juice, or e-liquid are all terms used to describe the liquid used in a vape. This liquid heats up and becomes vapor. There are many types of e-liquids and a wide variety of flavors to choose from.
Most ingredients in e-liquid are food grade. E-liquid contains propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin as well as nicotine and flavorings. There are also nicotine-free and unflavored options on the market.
Vapes vs Cigarettes
There are roughly 600 ingredients in a cigarette and many of these ingredients are highly toxic. Many of the chemicals found in cigarettes even cause cancer.
But are there any vaping health risks to worry about?
Potential Vaping Health Risks
Vaping isn’t completely risk-free, but you’re exposed to far fewer toxins. Unlike regular cigarettes, e-cigarettes do not contain many of those dangerous chemicals.
Still, there are some facts about vaping that people need to know before they start. For example, if you sell vaping products online there are legal disclaimers for your shop you need to post for your customers.
Is Second-Hand Vapor Dangerous?
Unlike second-hand smoke from cigarettes, second-hand vapor poses far less risk to bystanders.
According to this study, vape users retain 93.8 percent of nicotine when vaping. This means there is very little nicotine left in the residue from the exhaled vapor.
Still, vaping is relatively new and we don’t understand all the effects of second-hand vapor. Some chemicals and metals can be found in vapor in small amounts.
The substances found in vapor are far less significant than those found in cigarette smoke. But you might not want to vape around kids, pets, or people with asthma.
Can Vaping Help People Quit Smoking?
Vaping is often used as an alternative to smoking for various reasons. Many people dislike all the chemicals found in cigarettes and want a better alternative. Some landlords make their rentals strictly smoke-free, meaning renters need to kick the habit.
But can vaping help you stop smoking for good?
Nicotine is still the primary ingredient in both cigarettes and e-cigarettes. And nicotine, found in the tobacco plant, can be highly addictive.
In fact, nicotine is a stimulant drug. But it’s not necessarily nicotine but the chemicals in tobacco products that make smoking so dangerous.
Many people turn to vaping to try and quit cigarettes. And adults who try vaping smoke fewer cigarettes and are more likely to quit.
Making the switch to an e-cigarette is a good start, though people serious about quitting may need further assistance from their doctor to prevent a relapse.
How to Improve Your Chance of Success
Vapes use e-liquids and these juices have different amounts of nicotine. Many people start with a level comparable to their favorite cigarette and lower their dosage. In time, users can eliminate nicotine altogether.
This can often be more effective than quitting cold turkey. But first, you have to find your starting level.
Depending on the manufacturer, nicotine levels offered will vary. Some brands range from 0 to 6 mg while others may go up to 24 mg. But 6 mg is a good starting strength for light or moderate smokers.
Reduce your nicotine levels a little at a time. It could take your body up to a few weeks to adjust.
As you lower your nicotine content, you’ll find fewer nicotine level options. Some brands only offer 6 mg and 3 mg, for example. If you’re not ready to drop from 3 mg down to nothing, consider mixing down.
Mixing down allows you to dilute your e-juice. This means you can lower the potency of the nicotine in your liquid.
Talking to Your Doctor
Switching from traditional smoking to vaping is a good start if you want to quit. Although research is still ongoing, many studies confirm that vaping may help with quitting.
In this study, e-cigarettes were more effective for smoking cessation versus nicotine replacement therapy. Trials are still being conducted on the effectiveness of vaping as a way to stop smoking. Still, many people claim that vaping helped them either reduce the amount of nicotine they smoked or to stop smoking altogether.
But if you’re having trouble quitting on your own, you’re not alone. Many people that vape still need extra help to quit. That’s why your best chance of success is to talk to your doctor or look into therapy.
Ready to Quit?
If you’re ready to kick the habit and stop smoking, vaping is a good first step. Although vaping isn’t risk-free, the ability to lower your nicotine amount bit by bit helps many people quit.
To prevent a relapse, speak to your doctor or seek other resources for help. Consider looking into the many free resources and support groups out there.
Looking for more tips on staying healthy? Be sure to check back daily for news and more articles like this one.