E cigs are often touted as helpful stop-smoking tools, but they may dangerous in their own right.

What are E- Cigs?

E-cigarettes (e cigs) are hand-held electronic devices that deliver nicotine. They are advertised as an alternative to traditional cigarettes. Nicotine is delivered in a liquid that is then heated into a vapor, and inhaled by the user.

E-cigarettes have been on the market for about a decade and have grown in popularity in recent years. Some of the most common e cig brands include:

• JUUL
• Vuse
• Blu
• Logic
• MarkTen XL
• Others

Are E-Cigs Safe?

E-cigs are advertised as a safer way for people who smoke traditional cigarettes to get their nicotine fix and are often sold as a stop-smoking tool.

However, the rise of e-cigarettes may introduce nicotine to teens who don’t already use other tobacco products. Experts worry that teens may be especially susceptible to the advertising around e-cigs like JUUL, and may be attracted to e-cigarettes’ flavors and ease of use. So, e-cigarettes may lead more people to develop a nicotine habit that otherwise would not.

What are the Health Effects of E-Cigs?

The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that because e-cigarettes are fairly new to the market, the long term health effects are unknown. However, experts, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), worry about the long-term health risks.

Some studies have begun investigating the short term effects of e-cigarette use, which reportedly include “rapid deterioration of vascular function, increased heart rate, and elevated diastolic blood pressure,” according to reports.

Additionally, the FDA has received 35 reports of seizures after e-cigarette use. This information does not mean that e cigs necessarily cause seizures, but the connection between the twois a cause for concern, says CNN.

Are E Cigs Addictive?

Yes, e cigarettes are addictive. They contain nicotine, which is an addictive substance. In fact, many e-cigarettes may contain more nicotine than a traditional cigarette.

Reportedly, vape pens can contain more nicotine than traditional cigarettes because the nicotine liquid can have a very high concentration. Nicotine is both a sedative and a stimulant and indirectly causes the brain to release dopamine, making it addictive.

Nicotine addiction stemming from e-cigarette use by young people is especially concerning. Brains develop until around age 25, so substances introduced before that point physically change the brain. Such is the case with nicotine, according to Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, Ph.D., a developmental psychologist, and professor of pediatrics at Stanford University.

In an interview with Consumer Reports, Dr. Halpern-Felsher said that “by introducing nicotine, an addictive substance for which we already have receptors in place, we heighten those receptors and the brain alters to want more nicotine after.” What may be advertised as a harmless stop-smoking tool may have serious effects on the brain.

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