Vaping

What is vaping? 
Vaping is inhaling an aerosol or vapour produced by an electronic cigarette or vaping device (pens, mods, tanks, or by specific brand names i.e. Juul, Vuse, Vype).Unlike cigarettes, vapes do not burn tobacco. Vapes can be used to inhale a variety of liquid substances. Vaping devices heat a liquid, turning it, into an aerosol that the user inhales into the mouth and lungs, where it is absorbed into the bloodstream. 

See Health Canada video about the mechanics of vaping here.

What is in the vaping liquid?
Vaping liquids and substances are commonly referred to as "e-juice" or "e-liquid."  Most substances that people vape contain nicotine, which is addictive. When compared to a tobacco cigarette, some vape products may have lower levels of nicotine while others can have significantly more. Vapour products mostly contain:

  • Propylene glycol
  • Vegetable glycerin
  • Flavourings

The addition of flavours disguise the chemical taste and smell of vapour products which makes vaping very appealing and desirable to youth. The long-term safety of inhaling these substances in vaping products is unknown and continues to be assessed.

Are vapour products safe?
It is important to know that vaping does have health risks, however the potential long-term effects of vaping remain unknown.

For people who smoke, vaping products and e-cigarettes deliver nicotine in a less harmful way than smoking cigarettes. As such, these products may reduce health risks for smokers who can't or don't want to quit using nicotine.

Non-smokers, people who are pregnant and young people should not vape.

  • Vaping is not harmless
  • Vaping can lead to nicotine addiction
  • Vaping can cause lung damage
  • The long-term health impacts of vaping are unknown

Is the vapour produced (aerosol) harmful?
While the aerosol produced by vaping may contain fewer harmful chemicals than cigarette smoke, it still contains harmful chemicals. The aerosol is not simply water vapour as many youth and adults believe. Chemicals in the aerosol can be different than in the e-juice. Once heated, the e-juice undergoes chemical reactions that form new compounds not previously found in the liquid such as formaldehyde. 

Chemicals identified in aerosol include:

• Ultra-fine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene, ethanol and alcohol
• Nicotine
• Carbonyls such as formaldehyde, aldehyde
• Cancer–causing chemicals
• Heavy metals such as nickel, chromium and lead

Is vaping dangerous for youth?
Youth are experimenting with and using vaping products at an alarming rate. Vaping can increase a young person’s exposure to harmful chemicals, including nicotine. Exposure to nicotine through vaping can lead to addiction and physical dependence. Youth are especially susceptible to the effects of nicotine, as it can alter their brain development and can affect memory and concentration. For information and resources specific to youth and vaping, please visit Truthaboutvaping.ca.

Can vaping help people quit smoking? 
If you are a smoker, quitting smoking is the best thing you can do to improve your health. The evidence to support vaping as a smoking cessation tool is inconclusive. People intending to quit smoking by using vaping devices should make an informed decision and know that while vaping may provide a less harmful alternative to continued smoking, it still carries risk.

Individuals wanting to quit should try evidence-based methods (counseling, nicotine replacement products and prescription drugs) first and consult with a health care professional to determine the best approach to help them quit all nicotine products. Learning how to use these products correctly, possibly a combination of products, can greatly improve success with quitting smoking. Counselors at the NL Smokers’ Helpline (or call 1-800-363-5864) can provide more information and discuss all quitting options, including vaping.

Is there help to quit vaping?
If you are ready to quit smoking or vaping, the Smokers’ Helpline provides free assistance and support. Visit smokershelp.net or call 1-800-363-5864. All services are free, confidential and available to all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.

If you smoke and are receiving benefits from the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program (NLPDP) Access, Foundation or 65+ Plans, you may access the Provincial Smoking Cessation Program. This program helps to cover the cost of quit smoking medications and nicotine replacement products for eligible individuals. Read more here.

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