The Dangers of Vaping and Smoking Cigarettes
By: Brian Hoeflinger, MD
Disclaimer: Opinions are my own. Not medical advice.
Smoking tobacco has long been recognized as harmful to health. Popularized in the mid-19th century and once endorsed by physicians, extensive research has since confirmed its severe impacts. Nicotine from cigarettes damages blood vessels and significantly increases the risk of heart disease, strokes, kidney disease, and lung conditions such as emphysema. Additionally, smoking contributes to type 2 diabetes, blindness, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, infertility, and gum disease. Most notably, tobacco smoke contains thousands of chemicals, including 70 known carcinogens, leading to cancer in various body parts, particularly the lungs. In fact, 80-90% of lung cancer cases are attributable to smoking.
While the risks associated with smoking tobacco are well-documented, it's essential to recognize the emerging concerns surrounding another popular habit: vaping. Although often marketed as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, vaping presents its own set of health risks. Both tobacco cigarettes and e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which may be as addictive as cocaine and heroine some research suggests. Both cigarettes and vaping are hazardous to your health and I will expand on the dangers of each in this article.
The Health Risks of Smoking Cigarettes
Smoking cigarettes has been conclusively linked to a plethora of serious health issues. The inhalation of tobacco smoke can damage nearly every organ in the body and is one of the leading causes of preventable death worldwide. Here are some of the most critical health risks associated with smoking:
- Cardiovascular Disease: Smoking leads to narrowed blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
- Respiratory Disease: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema are significantly more likely among smokers.
- Cancer: Smokers are at an increased risk of developing cancer, particularly lung cancer, which is primarily caused by smoking.
- Other Health Issues: Smoking also contributes to diabetes, osteoporosis, and reproductive issues, among other health problems.
The Risks Associated with Vaping
Vaping involves inhaling aerosols typically containing nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals from an e-cigarette or similar device. While some believe vaping is less harmful than smoking cigarettes, it is not without risks:
- Unknown Chemical Effects: The long-term health effects of inhaling vaporized chemicals are not well understood, but early evidence suggests potential harms.
- Lung Injury: Vaping has been linked to severe lung injuries, some of which have been fatal.
- Nicotine Addiction: E-cigarettes still contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance that can affect brain development in teens and lead to sustained tobacco product use.
- Exposure to Toxins: Although e-cigarettes generally contain fewer toxic substances than conventional cigarettes, they are not free of harmful elements such as formaldehyde and acrolein.
According to the 2021 National Youth Tobacco Survey, over 2 million middle school and high school students in the United States reported using e-cigarettes in 2021. Furthermore, US young adults who use e-cigarettes are 4 times more likely to smoke tobacco cigarettes within 18 months than non-users according to this study by the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences.
Smoking tobacco cigarettes and vaping e-cigarettes can each lead to nicotine addiction and other serious health outcomes. It's crucial to approach both with caution, particularly as the full spectrum of vaping-related risks is still being studied.
Dangers of Secondhand and Thirdhand Smoke
Secondhand smoke (SHS) is the combination of smoke emitted from burning tobacco products and smoke exhaled by smokers. Inhaling SHS exposes individuals to numerous toxic chemicals similar to those inhaled by smokers, including carcinogens and other harmful substances. Exposure to SHS increases the risk of respiratory conditions, heart disease, and lung cancer among adults, and can lead to severe health problems in children, such as asthma, respiratory infections, and sudden infant death syndrome. It is estimated that approximately 1.3 million people die each year around the world due to secondhand smoke.
Thirdhand smoke (THS) refers to the residual nicotine and other chemicals left on indoor surfaces by tobacco smoke. These toxic residues stick to clothing, curtains, furniture, walls, and carpets, and can re-emit into the air and recombine with other environmental pollutants over time. Thirdhand smoke poses a significant health risk, especially to infants and children who may ingest or inhale these residues from surfaces or through skin contact. The potential for DNA damage and long-term carcinogenic effects from THS exposure is a growing area of concern, highlighting the need for comprehensive smoking bans in enclosed spaces to protect public health.
Conclusion
Understanding the dangers of smoking cigarettes and vaping is essential for making informed decisions about your health. Quitting smoking or choosing not to start can significantly reduce the risk of various diseases and improve overall health. Similarly, avoiding or quitting vaping is advisable until more is known about its long-term effects.
You are not alone if you have thought about trying to quit smoking. About 70% of smokers say they want to stop. And quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health. For those looking to quit, health professionals and cessation programs are available to help. By recognizing the risks and taking proactive steps toward cessation, individuals can significantly improve their health prospects.
Sources and links to learn more:
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/effects_cig_smoking/index.htm
https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/e-cigarettes-vaping/impact-of-e-cigarettes-on-lung
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21162-vaping
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/5-truths-you-need-to-know-about-vaping
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/secondhand-smoke/health.html
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tobacco#:~:text=The%20tobacco%20epidemic%20is%20one%20of%20the%20biggest,of%20non-smokers%20being%20exposed%20to%20second-hand%20smoke%20%284%29.
Impactful Quote of the Week
"As an organizer I start from where the world is, as it is, not as I would like it to be. That we accept the world as it is does not in any sense weaken our desire to change it into what we believe it should be - it is necessary to begin where the world is if we are going to change it to what we think it should be."
- Saul Alinsky, Rules for Radicals
Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro for a Cause
Kevin and I are leaving for our Mount Kilimanjaro trip in 5 days. Our goal is to raise money for SameYou and Tanzania Health and Medical Education Foundation (TAHMEF). We would truly appreciate if you spread the word on our fundraiser or considered donating a small amount for a good cause. Our fundraiser page can be found here.
SameYou is a brain injury recovery charity that works to develop better mental health recovery treatment for survivors, raises awareness and advocates for change. TAHMEF is a charity focused on providing medical access and education for people in Tanzania who would not otherwise have access to these vital resources.
Best wishes,
Brian Hoeflinger
