Vaping and Your Lung health

It seems like vape pens are everywhere in today’s society. You see people walking down the street, sitting in a restaurant, maybe even in school, all followed by large puffs of white smoke. Vaping is extremely common, and up until recently, totally acceptable to do almost anywhere other than an airplane. People have been convinced that using an electronic cigarette, or vape pen, is healthier than smoking real cigarettes, and might even be helpful in helping someone quit; however, science is finding that the truth about vaping is just the opposite – vaping can be extremely detrimental to your lung health, sometimes even more so than real cigarettes.

Health Effects

It’s common knowledge that smoking in any fashion is detrimental to your healthbut there are certain health aspects you should know when reaching for a vape pen:

Vaping has been linked to over 1600 cases of lung injury and 34 confirmed deaths in the U.S.

Smoking nicotine results in 9 out of 10 lung cancer deaths and more women die each year of lung cancer than breast cancer

A smoker’s risk of lung cancer increases by 25 times in men, and 25.7 times in women

Smoking causes lung disease by damaging the airway and the small air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs

Other lung diseases caused by smoking include emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and COPD

Smokers are 12 to 13 times more likely to die of COPD than non-smokers

People with asthma can have more frequent and more severe attacks triggered by vaping

General symptoms of deteriorating lung health include coughing, chest pain, trouble breathing, and fatigue

Secondhand smoke is another major issue for the community, as vaping is currently allowed in most public spaces. With a large majority of the people who vape being high school and middle school students, the danger of secondhand vape smoke is rising among those demographics. Secondhand smoke can cause many of the same side effects that smoking cigarettes can, leading to trouble breathing, illness, cancer, and even death. These effects are amplified by the ultra-fine aerosol particles found in smoke that comes from vaping.

State governments are now taking action against vape pen companies by cracking down on the sale and distribution of these products, but the only way to protect yourself from the adverse health effects of vape pens is to never pick them up. Your lungs will thank you!