Do You Think Vaping is Safe?

Although vaping has now been used as a method to switch from cigarettes for many years, research is still ongoing into it’s safety and effectiveness. However, research by UK government health bodies continues to support the statement that e-cigarettes offer a far safer alternative to smoking.

Below, we look at some of the most common concerns and misconceptions surrounding vaping.

US Vaping Illness, or ‘EVALI’

In 2019, the media began to report a number of illnesses in America that had been linked to vaping. At the time, and still now, these reports can cause for concern amongst vapers and those considering switching to e-cigarettes. We have illustrated below what this means for vaping in the UK and tackle the question; is vaping safe?

Vaping In The UK V’s The US

The use of e-cigarettes has rapidly increased since they first began to gain popularity in the mid to late 2000’s. It’s estimated that there are now around 2.7 million vapers in the UK. Approximately 54% of these individuals have given up smoking completely.

In 2016 there was an update to the EU’s Tobacco Products Directive that included strict regulations regarding e-cigarettes. This included banning certain ingredients and applying restrictions on nicotine content and packaging. The regulations also require notification and approval for all vaping products before they can be sold in the UK.

This is in stark contrast to the United States where there are no clear regulations regarding quality or safety of products. Martin Dockrell, head of Tobacco Control at Public Health England, has highlighted the distinction between the UK and US. He noted that the incidences of lung illnesses in America have been identified by the FDA as being linked to vaping illicit or homemade liquids that contained THC and Vitamin E oils.

Vitamin E Acetate in THC Products Linked to Lung Illnesses

Vitamin E acetate is an oil derived from vitamin E. It is not known to cause harm when ingested, however experts say that it may be hazardous when inhaled. It may interfere with normal lung function and could lead to respiratory issues like those experienced by patients in the US.

State Officials from the Centre for Disease Control in America have now confirmed that there is a strong link between Vitamin E Acetate and the lung disease outbreak. The oil was found in samples tested by the FDA containing THC; the psychoactive substance found in the cannabis plant. The CDC have confirmed that products containing THC played a major role in the outbreak of vaping related illnesses, with many of the samples tested having been purchased from informal sources.

THC is an illegal substance in the UK and there have been no reports of incidences of similar illnesses in the UK.

Is Nicotine Dangerous?

Although it’s possible to vape without nicotine, many vaping products contain nicotine to help users make the switch from smoking to vaping. Nicotine is the addictive chemical that occurs naturally in the tobacco plant. It is present in cigarettes and is the reason that many smokers find it so difficult to quit.

Nicotine is highly addictive, however it has not been shown to be cancer-causing or particularly harmful on it’s own to people without heart conditions.

Do E Cigarettes Encourage Young People to Smoke?

Although surveys report that young people are experimenting with vaping, this is amongst those who already smoke, or have experimented with smoking, in the majority of cases. Youth smoking rates have been on a continuous decline in the UK and there has been no rise in this since electronic cigarettes have become more widely used.

A 2019 study by the School of Social Sciences at Cardiff University looked into whether e-cigarettes had ‘renormalised or displaced’ youth smoking. The results of this study showed that there has been no significant change in the trend for ever-smoking amongst young people.

Is It Safe to Vape?

As we’ve discussed above, in the UK we have strict regulations on all vaping products. These regulations have been in place since 2016 and include a ban on the use of THC in any vape or e-cigarette products.

Every e-cigarette, refill, e-liquid and accessory must meet strict quality and safety standards. They must also be notified to the Medicines & Healthcare Regulation Authority (MHRA) before being offered for sale.

There have been no reports of vaping related illness or ‘EVALI’ with UK-regulated products.

Although we can’t say that it is 100% safe, all the evidence so far points to vaping still being far safer than smoking. Vaping has shown to be the most effective way to reduce tobacco smoking with research showing that e-cigarettes are almost twice as effective at helping smokers quit than patches or gum.