The earliest forms of cigarettes have been dated back to the 9th century and has evolved into what is offered today. Cigarettes are finely cut leaves of tobacco that are rolled into thin papers to smoke. The end of the cigarette is ignited on one end allowing the smoke to be inhaled from the other. Even though cigarettes are readily available to anyone over the age of 18, there has been a decline in cigarette use because of the tobacco taxes that have been imposed over the last few years and the problems that are caused from smoking it. Cigarette have been proven to be dangerous in variety of different ways.
- Nicotine is addictive.
- Half of cigarette smokers die from tobacco-related disease, like:
- Heart disease
- Respiratory disease
- Stroke
- Smokers lose, on the average, 14 years of their life.
- Second hand smoke causes injury to innocent bystanders.
- Cigarettes cause fires.
- Pregnant women are at risk for birth defects, premature birth, and fetal abnormalities.
- Tobacco smoke contains a myriad of toxins.
With the decline of cigarettes, electronics cigarettes have become a frontrunner as an alternative. Users of “e-cigs” or “vapes” can inhale vapor through an electronic device known as a vaporizer consisting of an atomizer or cartomizer, housing cartridge, and a battery. The heating element in the atomizer or cartomizer generates power into the battery. Once connected, the vaping material, or e-juice, converts to vapor that can be inhaled. The vapor creates a thicker cloud of smoke than tobacco does, and it smells much better, as an electric cigarette has different flavors of e-juice to choose from.
The risks of the electronic cigarettes are relatively still unknown, but are thought to not have the potential dangers like tobacco does. Although the vapor is comprised of glycerin, glycol, propylene, metal nanoparticles, carcinogens, small amounts of toxicants, heavy metals, flavors, and sometimes nicotine, the amount of each varies in concentrate and composition from each manufacturer. There could be risks from bystanders from the smoke especially if the vapor is contained indoors. Nicotine also has risk factors, for the user and the bystander, that can be avoidable by eliminating it from the e-juice completely.
There has been research that indicates cigarette smoking is 95 percent more harmful than vaping, which can be instrumental in helping someone to quit smoking tobacco. The downside to that statistic is that electronic cigarettes can be the gateway drug to lead someone to smoking tobacco, especially with teens and young adults.
The best choice to smoking or to vaping is to just refrain from either all together. Tobacco is addictive and without knowing the lasting effects of electronic cigarettes, both are better just not being inhaled.
Serenity Oaks Wellness Center is a partial-care center that can help addicts and alcoholics with the cessation of drugs and alcohol. Our staff is here to assist you, or your loved one, with tools to aid in their recovery.
Call us today:
844-720-6847
