I am not a fan of vaping. However, I read the link to the American Lung Association article on vaping and didn't find it persuasive at all. It sort of reminds of me of the scare articles I read about marijuana back in the late 60s and early 70s. It says a lot of scary stuff but doesn't really quantify the risk.
https://www.lung.org/about-us/blog/2019/03/vaping-smoke-and-mirrors.html
For example, it talks about nicotine being addictive. That is true. But -- if you take nicotine away from the carcinogenic aspects of cigarettes how dangerous is that addiction? Is it -- for example -- really that much more dangerous than, say, a caffeine addiction. Caffeine addictions are really and I have read some scare articles about caffeine. But, most people realize that even though caffeine is addictive it creates a relatively benign form of addiction. I mean, sure, it would be better not to be addicted to caffeine but just how dangerous is it really.
There is just so much in this article that bothered me.
Just as troubling is that many people view these electronic nicotine delivery systems (also referred to as ENDS) as harmless.
I am not sure that matters. The issue is really what actual harm does vaping do and how can you compare that to other things that also cause harm. Eat enough bacon and it causes a lot of harm but most people don't advocate that we outlaw all bacon.
A study in the American Heart Association journal suggests that e-cigarette flavorings may damage blood vessels and the heart. Harmful substances, trace metals, and other toxins have been found in e-cigarettes. All of which can lead to various cancers.
Sounds scary but is not that persuasive. The first sentence uses words like "suggests" and "may." Also may damage blood vessels and the heart. How much damage? What kind of damage? How do you compare that damage to other things that are legal that may damage blood vessels or the heart?
Equally disturbing are two reported deaths and thousands who have been injured or burned because of "vape pen" explosions. Clearly the dangers extend beyond what is being done to the lungs and heart.
How likely are those effects? How often do vape pens explode? I mean, lots of products can explode or malfunction and we don't ban them. We may regulate them in some ways but almost everything can malfunction. My computer could malfunction and catch fire right now as I am typing on it. Should we ban all computers? Are vape pens more dangerous than other consumer products?
Smoking is the leading cause of death and disease in the United States and according to the FDA, teen electronic cigarette use has skyrocketed by nearly 80 percent in the past year. Nearly half a million Americans are dying from its effects each year. Yet it's also preventabl
I think there is a real distinction between smoking cigarettes and vaping that isn't captured here. I personally do think vaping hasn't been sufficiently studied so I don't favor it. But, it seems to be also clear that it is way less dangerous than cigarettes. It sort of reminds me of when people would argue against marijuana by railing against the dangers of heroin....
These liquid pods also contain some of the same toxic chemicals found in smoke from traditional cigarettes, which is, in a word, poison. When tested, aldehydes, traces of metal, and other carcinogens responsible for playing a role in lung and oral cancers were present.
None specific. How much? Lots of things that we ingest in some situations can be toxic if you take enough of it. But, this article hasn't shown that the "poison" in vaping is enough to cause cancer.
These cancer-causing agents reach deep into the lungs, irritating the bronchi and cause an increase in blood pressure, heart rate, as well as compromise adequate flow of blood to the heart and restrict of the arteries.
Again, haven't really quantified this and haven't shown it is enough to be dangerous.
"..... may increase heart rate, body temperature, blood flow to the skin & extremities, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, stomach acid secretion and production of urine (diuretic). People may experience dizziness, hypoglycemia, fruit-like breath odor, troubled breathing, muscle tremors, nausea, diarrhea, increased urine, ketones in urine,drowsiness, thirst, anxiety, confusion, irritability, insomnia, changes in appetite, dry mouth, blurred vision, and cold sweats."
Wow -- vaping must be really awful to cause all of those terrible things. Oops....sorry wrong article. That is a description of the effects of the dreaded caffeine.
Anyway --- I could go on with going through the article but I think I have made my point. This is just a terrible article that seeks to scare people by sounding scientific but doesn't really prove anything.
To be clear -- I don't vape, I don't smoke and I don't plan to start. I am not a fan of vaping. But, much of the negative statements about it amount to guilt by association (association with smoking of tobacco cigarettes).
