Vaping products have always been considered by many health experts and government agencies to be potential smoking cessation tools, and thus, smokers who want to quit smoking (but can’t do so) often use vape devices to gradually curb their nicotine addiction. Unfortunately, there are different perceptions toward the use of vaping products. Vaping antagonists who are looking into a vape safety checklist will blatantly tell you – even without concrete evidence – that vaping is as harmful to our health as smoking.
However, since the vaping industry is relatively new and the product standards and regulations are highly different from one country to another, there has only been few research studies conducted regarding the extent of vaping’s potential harm, if any. Also, while there are conclusions that put vaping in a potentially positive light, they are from initial studies that only cover a small sample. Nonetheless, these studies can serve as references for major research with a wider scope.
One of the more realistic yet informal ways to understand what health improvements are experienced after switching to vaping from smoking is to ask those who made the switch themselves for some years now.
An antagonist cannot argue against vaping by simply referring to what’s happening in the U.S. beginning late 2019 where more than a thousand individuals have adverse lung and respiratory conditions (some of them even died) allegedly due to vaping. Investigations are still ongoing but initial assessment revealed that the cases were due to off-the-street vaping products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other cannabinoid products. These substances are generally illegal in the country. Health officials from other countries have explained that regulated vaping products are safe to use for vapers. Also, some countries have vaping regulations regarding nicotine content and other components in eliquids.
A user on Quora’s discussion board shared that after switching to vaping, his lungs sound clear according to his doctor and CT scans have shown improvements. He has been exclusively vaping for six years as of the time of the discussion and used to be a heavy daily smoker of unfiltered cigarettes. He also observed that he has not been wheezing when walking quickly, climbing stairs and doing other activities that exert the body.
Another Quora user shared that his allergies and moderate asthma symptoms have not been attacking him since the switch. He also shared how he has recovered his stamina, and sense of smell and taste. He was smoking for more than 20 years before making the switch.
The above-mentioned testimonials complement a 2018 study which revealed that after three years of observation, smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who switched to vaping have displayed reduced COPD effects and improved health.
Smoking-to-vaping switchers also relate that they were not suffering much from the nicotine withdrawal since vaping products allow the users to choose the eliquid with the nicotine content level of their choice. Vape juices come in 18mg, 12mg, 6mg, 3mg and even zero nicotine content. This is important because about two hour after quitting smoking, symptoms of nicotine withdrawal start to manifest. Three days after quitting smoking cold turkey, withdrawal symptoms are at their peak since all nicotine elements are gone in the body. A vape with nicotine helps alleviate the withdrawal symptoms by tapering off the substance.
Vaping may not be necessarily a healthy activity (compared to not vaping at all), but it’s definitely a much better alternative than smoking due to the absence of burning tobacco which produces the notorious carbon monoxide and tar.
How about you? What health improvements have you experienced after making the switch from smoking to vaping? Let us know in the comments below.
Browse through our blog further to find more information on vaping for beginners and vape safety checklist. We also provide marketing and business guides for vape shop retailers and related entrepreneurs.
