There are many misconceptions about the dangers of e-cigarettes, particularly among young people and those who believe them to be safer than tobacco cigarettes. These misconceptions may be leading many more young people to use e-cigarettes.

Indeed, the Centers for Disease Control reports that the year over year increase of youth using e-cigarettes is rapidly growing. Approximately 1.5 million more youths used e-cigarettes in 2018 than in the previous year, increasing the total usage among youth to about 4.9 million. About one in five high schoolers are e-cigarette users, or 20.8 percent, along with about 4.9 percent of middle school students.

Here are some of the more insidious health consequences of e-cigarette usage, colloquially known as “vaping.”

1: E-Cigarettes Pose Health Risks
While “vaping” is certainly less harmful than smoking combustible cigarettes, it is by no means free of health risks. According to a report on the JAMA Network, Medical research has found the dangers of e-cigarettes to include cardiovascular and respiratory disease and cognitive impairment. This is of particular concern for adolescents, whose bodies are still developing. Expectant mothers should also avoid vaping, as it can cause fetal injury and even death.

2: E-Cigarettes Contain Addictive Nicotine
Nicotine is a toxin as well as one of the most addictive substances known to science, particularly for young people. It is also one of the most difficult addictions to treat. E-cigarettes deliver more nicotine in greater concentrations, making it even more likely that the user will develop a severe, life long addiction. However, many young people may not know that their vaping products contain nicotine. JUUL, the most popular brand, does not have nicotine-free flavors, but in a recent survey, 25 percent of students said that they vaped “just flavoring.”

3: E-cigarettes May Not Be Effective for Tobacco Cessation
One of the more insidious dangers of e-cigarettes is the misconception that they can help someone to quit cigarettes. While these are a less-harmful alternative to combustible cigarettes, medical science has not been able to establish that e-cigarettes are effective in helping those trying to quit tobacco. The reality is quite the opposite; because of the greater amounts of nicotine contained in vape liquids, e-cigarettes may actually exacerbate tobacco addiction.

4: Vaping is Not Only Used by Former Smokers Trying to Quit
Many people who start vaping, especially teens and young adults, are those who have never previously smoked combustible cigarettes, nor had planned to. Instead, many of those who start in on e-cigarettes wind up going on to the real thing.

5: E-Cigarette Users Also Smoke Tobacco
Many e-cigarette users turn to vape in situations in which tobacco is prohibited or otherwise inconvenient – thus increasing their exposure to nicotine.

6: Nicotine Affects Cognitive Development
This is one of the greatest dangers of e-cigarettes for young people. The human brain is still developing even into one’s early twenties – and the developing brain is particularly vulnerable to the effects of nicotine and other chemicals contained in vape.

7: E-Cigarettes Do Not Have FDA Approval as a Smoking Cessation Method
Until recently, e-cigarettes were not subject to regulation by the Food and Drug Administration; nor were these products approved as a way to overcome tobacco addiction. Even though the FDA recently subjected these products to new rules, the manufacturers still have free rein in marketing to children and teens.

8: Vape Ingredients are Largely Unregulated
Although the FDA has taken some action, there is little regulation over the manufacture of vape liquids, so there is no sure way to know what these products contain.

9: Vape Liquid Contains Potentially Toxic Chemicals
Among the substances found in vape liquids are heavy metals, aldehydes and other chemical substance, the health effects of which are largely unknown.

10: Vaping May be Making Smoking Acceptable Again
Yet another one of the dangers of e-cigarettes is the possibility that it is once again making smoking a socially acceptable behavior, undoing decades of progress toward reducing smoking-related illnesses and deaths.

Filing an E-Cigarette Lawsuit

If you or someone you love has been affected by e-cigarette addiction or other side effects of using e-cigarette products, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by addiction or other complications, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, addiction recovery, and more.

Filing a lawsuit can be daunting, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.