Vaping to quit smoking
If your Mum or Dad or a family member is vaping it’s probably because they want to give up smoking. This is great; vaping should only be used to quit smoking, and only after trying medically proven and approved methods.
If you are smoking, then vaping could be worth trying to help you stop, though there are many other things available that could help.
If you, a parent, or a friend intend to quit smoking, the best thing to do is talk to a doctor, or other health professional, or text, call or visit Quitline (You can call Quitline free on 0800 778 778 or text 4006).
Non-smokers vaping
And why shouldn’t non-smokers take up vaping? Well:
- Most e-cigarettes deliver nicotine, which is highly addictive and can harm the developing brains of teens, kids and fetuses in women who vape while pregnant. Some types of vapes can expose users to even more nicotine than traditional cigarettes.
- In addition to nicotine, e-cigarette vapour may include potentially harmful substances such as formaldehyde, cancer-causing chemicals, and heavy metals such as cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, and nickel. Users breathe in these toxic contaminants, and others nearby risk second-hand exposure.
- The liquid used in e-cigarettes can be dangerous, and not just from vaping it. Children and adults have been poisoned by swallowing e-liquid, or absorbing it through their skin or eyes.
- E-cigarettes have been linked to thousands of cases of serious lung injury (EVALI), in the United States, some resulting in death. While the exact cause is still not confirmed, it is another good reason for non-smokers not to vape, particularly with vapes obtained from places other than approved stores.