E-Cigarettes and Smoking Prevention
E-cigarettes and vapes that are often used to help people quit smoking. Instead of tobacco, these people use vape juices or e-liquids. UK-based vape shops claim that e-cigarettes and vaping devices are a very effective smoking alternative that helps people diminish and, eventually, get rid of their nicotine additions.
But are e-cigarettes a good idea for smoking prevention? Do these alternatives work? Let’s dig a bit deeper into the world of vaping and see how effective these devices are.
How Do E-Cigarettes Work?
E-cigarettes allow the inhalation of nicotine in the form of vapour, rather than smoke. Where regular cigarettes burn tobacco, which produces carbon monoxide and tar, e-cigarettes donot. Tar and carbon monoxide are two of the most damaging substances extracted from tobacco smoke.
Instead, e-cigarettes work by means of an e-liquid. This liquid can contain nicotine, although it doesn’t have to. In addition, vaping juices feature vegetable glycerine, propylene glycol, and different flavourings, which are all FDA-approved.
Although all the mentioned ingredients (except for nicotine) are perfectly safe to consume, there is no clear evidence regarding their impact on our health when inhaled. Despite this, e-cigarettes are still considered a much healthier alternative to regular smoking.
Do E-Cigarettes Help Stop Smoking?
Quitting smoking cold turkey is very difficult, which is due to nicotine withdrawal. E-cigarettes help you control your nicotine intake. Nicotine-free e-liquids are widely available in vape shops all across the UK, which allow you to add nicotine according to your own preference. Over time, as you use e-cigarettes, you can wean yourself off nicotine, to the point where you no longer use it in your vape juice mix at all.
So, e-cigarettes and vape kits are, indeed, effective in helping the user battle their addiction and even quit nicotine altogether.
However, there’s more to the physical addiction aspect of smoking. This is very much a psychological addiction too.Given the fact that e-cigarettes can be used without nicotine, they can remain a psychological habit, even after you’ve weaned yourself off nicotine.
Are E-Cigarettes Safe?
Instead of the very harmful contents of tobacco, e-cigarettes distribute nicotine via e-juices. UK-based laws are known for their tight regulation of these products that ensure their maximum safety and quality.
However, e-cigarettes aren’t entirely risk-free. Research is still not strong enough to determine the exact risks of vaping.
With that said, e-cigarettes bring a tiny fraction of risk compared to cigarettes. For one, e-cigarettes don’t produce carbon monoxide and tar, which are both potential causes of various forms of cancer.E-liquids do contain certain potentially harmful chemicals that can also be found in cigarette smoke, but the levels of these chemicals are significantly lower in vapes compared to cigarettes.
What About the Nicotine-Related Risks?
Nicotine is a very addictive substance.It’s not only the reason why people get addicted to cigarettes, but it is the reason why it’s so difficult to beat this addiction.
Despite this, in itself, nicotine is relatively harmless.The vast majority of the damaging effects of smoking comes from other chemicals that are commonly found in tobacco.
This is why nicotine replacement therapy is so widely used, and this is why it’s proven to be so effective.
E-cigarettes have been shown to be much more effective for smoking prevention than other nicotine replacement methods, such as nicotine patches and nicotine gums.
Unlike second-hand smoke, there is also no evidence that the vapour from e-cigarettes is harmful to other people.
Medicinal E-Cigarettes
Even though e-cigarettes have proven to be a fantastic (perhaps even the most effective) method for quitting smoking,unfortunately, you still can’t get e-juice and e-cigarette products from your GP. Some pharmacies do offer these products, but you’ll mostly find them in vape shops or online.
This doesn’t mean that you’re alone in your quest to quit smoking. There are private clinics and other options available that will help you monitor your nicotine intake, help you learn the ropes regarding vapes, and follow your progress. Medical experts often recommend these too.
E-Cigarettes to Quit Smoking
The evidence is clear on whether or not e-cigarettes help people wean themselves off nicotine – they do. They are even more effective than other nicotine replacement methods. However, the psychological aspect of smoking remains – the fact that nicotine-free e-cigarettes exist only confirms this.