Health risks, concerning additives, and the road to quitting with GV Public Health Unit’s operations director Cherie Holland.
E-cigarettes or vapes are battery-operated devices that use a coil to heat liquids into aerosols.
E-cigarettes can contain up to 200 different dangerous chemicals that are usually found in weed killers and paint strippers.
Using an E-cigarette is called vaping. The cloud of fumes produced from an E-cigarette is an aerosol or mist and not water vapour.
Are there any specific additives or flavours commonly used in vape liquids that pose health concerns?
Manufacturing companies sell E-cigarettes in different colours and flavours like chocolate milk, candy floss and cola ice-cream to make them more appealing to young people.
According to a research conducted by Telethon Kids Institute in 2021, most e-liquids in e-cigarettes contain benzyl alcohol which is a solvent and flavour enhancer that can cause severe skin and allergic reactions.
Benzaldehyde is used for its almond-like flavour, and can be found in some E-cigarettes at dangerously high levels.
Menthol enhances the addictive properties of nicotine and alters how nicotine metabolises in the body. As well as trans-cinnamaldehyde (cinnamon flavour) which can impair people’s immune response.
Can you explain the differences between various types of vaping devices and how they may affect health differently?
There are two types of vaping devices: mouth-to-lung or direct-to-lung. They are classified by how the vapour is inhaled; whether it is held in mouth first like a cigarette or directly inhaled.
In Australia, it is illegal to buy and sell E-cigarette containing nicotine unless you have a doctor’s prescription.
Some tobacco companies are selling these products as “non-nicotine” E-cigarettes. However, most of them are incorrectly labelled and still can contain nicotine to the levels of 50 tobacco cigarettes.
Are there any specific ingredients in vape liquids that are more concerning for health than others?
E-cigarettes contain dangerous chemicals that can be found in following places, like allyl alcohol found in household cleaning products, acrolein in weed killers, arsenic in rat poison, benzene in pesticides, chlorine in bleach and lead in aviation fuel and batteries.
What are the potential health risks associated with vaping compared to traditional smoking?
Though seeming harmless, E-cigarettes can have a profound impact on your health. Some common health concerns caused by E-cigarettes include asthma attacks, bronchitis, lung inflammation, cancers, heart disease and have a derogatory effect on brain health.
Furthermore, E-cigarettes can explode or catch fire, causing bad burns and face or leg and hip injuries.
How does vaping impact lung health, and are there any long-term effects that have been identified?
People using E-cigarettes over a long period of time are at a higher risk of lung disease in the future. Vaping during pregnancy may also harm the developing baby. In the past, E-cigarettes have shown to lead to a serious lung disease called EVALI.
Are there any age groups or populations that are more vulnerable to the negative effects of vaping?
Young people who vape are more likely to start cigarette smoking in the future due to nicotine addiction. E-liquids and E-cigarettes are particularly dangerous to young people.
In addition to the physical damage vaping can do to young people, it can also impact their mental health. International research studies claim that vaping increases the risk of mood and anxiety disorders, and can worsen symptoms of depression.
What is the current understanding of the potential impact of second-hand vapor exposure on non-vapers?
When a person vapes, it is not just them who are exposed to these chemicals but the people around them are affected too. People in the vicinity of E-cigarette use can inhale second-hand E-cigarettes emissions and may also be exposed to these chemicals from residues left on surfaces, known as third-hand exposure.
Can you provide guidance on how to approach giving up or a site where people can be more informed?
Consult your local trusted GP to get support with vaping and to link in with local mental health supports. Services like Quitline can then help work out a plan for you to reach your goal.
For more information, phone 137 848 or visit quit.org.au
More information can also be found at: E-cigarettes and vaping — Better Health Channel
Source: Quit Victoria, Better Health Channel, Tobacco in Australia and VicHealth
QUOTE IN BREAK OUT BOX PLEASE!
“Steering clear of, or quitting e-cigarettes can significantly improve your health. Even though scientists are still learning about vapes and their long-term affects, they do not consider them safe,” GV Public Health Unit’s operations director Cherie Holland said.
“Vaping can increase the risk of lung infections and heart disease, including worsening obstructive lung diseases and increasing the odds of being diagnosed with asthma.
“We know that the take-up of vaping by young people is increasing alarmingly. Vapes may expose young people to chemicals and toxins at levels that have the potential to cause adverse health effects.
“Each of us can support people we know to make informed decisions about vaping by understanding the facts and risks associated with vaping products and providing people with the right information to make a healthy choice.
“Choosing to quit vaping is a crucial step towards safeguarding your health and embracing a healthier future.”