Cigarette and tobacco smoking are still considered the most avoidable causes of death, disability and disease worldwide. The reality is that people smoke due to nicotine addiction but the effects of burning tobacco are causing them harm. On the other hand, electronic cigarettes and vape products do not burn tobacco or produce smoke, and thus, these devices tick the right boxes for anyone looking into vape safety checklist.
Tobacco Smoke and Death Statistics
A 2018 report states that inhaled smoke from burning tobacco is prematurely killing 7.2 million people around the world.
In Australia, tobacco smoking is estimated to kill around 19,000 individuals a year according to a 2018 report of the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Fortunately, a declining trend is observed on the rate of adult daily smokers within two decades prior to 2018, specifically from 24% to 14%. The daily smoking rate, however, remained relatively similar according to the 2018 report.
In New Zealand, the Ministry of Health states that smoking, as well as second-hand smoke exposure, are responsible for the deaths of around 5,000 people annually in the country.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
Despite the morbid statistics that put tobacco smoking in a negative light, people are still smoking because they’re simply addicted to nicotine. Fortunately, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can help smokers to satisfy their nicotine craving without the harmful effects of burning tobacco.
There are different types of NRT, including chewing gum, nose spray, adhesive patch, inhaler and lozenges. The ultimate goal of NRT is that smokers will quit smoking while reducing withdrawal syndromes. However, NRT is only most effective when supported and guided by a healthcare professional.
E-cigs and Vape Products
For 20 decades now, e-cigs and other vape devices are being marketed as consumer products. They are also becoming more popular as replacement for tobacco cigarettes. They’re also more common than NRT when it comes to smoking cessation solution considering that improvements to health and well-being are observed from smokers who switched to vaping.
In the present scenario, however, vape products are not manufactured to medical standards, and thus, concerns arise about the harm caused by vaping. Fortunately, studies have shown that the long-term use of currently marketed vaping devices are less likely to exceed even 5% of the harm brought about by tobacco smoking.
When it comes to switching from smoking tobacco to vaping, a 3-year follow-up study reveals that the switch improved the health of smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There are also studies that the switch may also improve dental health.
Conclusion
NRT and vape products are practical solutions for smokers who want to quit smoking. When it comes to vaping, the process simulates cigarette smoking (i.e. the puffing and blowing), which makes it easy for smokers to adapt to the alternative product. Furthermore, vape juices come with varying nicotine content levels (including zero nicotine), allowing users to gradually lower their intake and ultimately eliminate their nicotine addiction. These and more should tick all the right boxes for anyone looking into vape safety checklists.
