The mainstream penetration of e-cigarettes has been steadily increasing. For starters, despite recommendations by the World Health Organization to restrict e-cigarette ads, an article published in Medical News mentioned that 85% of young adults are exposed to vape advertisements in one way or another. Researchers have also observed that media exposure translates to e-cigarette use, prompting calls for stricter reinforcement of advertisement bans to curb the promotion of vapes. Many vape brands, like Vuse and NJOY, are also easily purchased over the counter. All in all, CNN reports that this has swelled the number of e-cigarette smokers to around 1 in 10 adults in the US alone.
Research published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests that the motives behind using e-cigarettes may vary among young adults. The biggest reason, though, is the belief that vaping is safer than cigarette smoking. But while they are often marketed and described as less harmful than cigarettes, vapes are not entirely free from dangers. Here’s what you need to know:
Health risks of e-cigarettes
The growing popularity of vapes, especially among young adults, has compelled the Food and Drug Administration to create stricter regulations. Unlike cigarettes, e-cigs produce aerosols that generally contain fewer chemicals than tobacco smoke, but it doesn’t mean that vapes are harmless. Some tests have found that e-cig vapor comprises toxic chemicals such as acetaldehyde and formaldehyde, which can all negatively impact overall health. According to the American Lung Association, these aldehydes can cause lung and heart diseases. Vapes also contain carcinogens, increasing the risk of cancer.
The American Lung Association affirms that the ingredients found in e-cigs, like propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine, are harmful and toxic to cells. Meanwhile, a WebMD article also mentioned that small metals like lead, chromium, and nickel are found in e-cig vapor, which, when inhaled, can cause lung and brain damage. Since batteries also run these e-cigarettes, the FDA warns that vapes can potentially explode or catch fire, leading to unwanted injuries. With these associated risks in vapes, the need to shift to smokeless alternatives has become more timely than ever. Here’s how smokeless options can help:
The growing need for smokeless alternatives
Smokeless alternatives are FDA-approved products that help smokers quit by providing controlled doses of nicotine without the need for tobacco use. The NIH also cited that these smokeless nicotine alternatives lack harmful fine particulate emissions found in cigarette and vape emissions, making them preferable. The rise in popularity of these alternatives can be attributed to the increasing awareness of the harmful effects of vape chemicals.
One of the most popular alternatives today is nicotine pouches. These small, discreet sacs are placed between the lip and gums to steadily release nicotine that can help wean vapers off the habit. Yahoo reported that the market size of nicotine pouches is expected to grow to $17.54 billion by 2029, signifying the rising demand for alternatives to smoking and vaping. These smokeless products are also more accessible thanks to retailers that are making them available online. To illustrate, online retailer Prilla is home to major brands like ZYN, Rogue, and VELO that offer pouches in varying nicotine strengths that also come in different flavors – making it easier for vapers to switch and gradually narrow down their consumption until they can completely quit. It also ships anywhere in the continental US, making smokeless alternatives obtainable for quitting.
Aside from pouches, nicotine lozenges are also a popular choice due to their convenience and attainability. These lozenges are small, hard, and edible oral alternatives that are dissolved in the mouth, particularly between the gum and cheek, where nicotine is absorbed. For instance, Nicorette lozenges come in 2mg and 4mg strengths that can be used every one to two hours as needed. These lozenges are accessible in online and physical stores like CVS Pharmacy. Given the suckling motion that these lozenges require, they are common options for vapers looking to satisfy an oral fixation.
In conclusion, the rise of e-cigarette use has caused health groups to become more concerned about the dangerous effects of vapes. This has also prompted the need to switch to smokeless nicotine alternatives that can help break the habit of vaping, especially with these replacements becoming more available and accessible in the market.
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