World No Tobacco Day: Vaping is Just As Harmful As Smoking

While everyone knows that smoking is injurious to your health, the jury is out on vaping or e-cigarettes. 

Dr Anil Heroor, Head-Surgical Oncology, Fortis Hospital, Mulund & Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi says, "Most people are under the misconception that vaping is better or less harmful than smoking. People are tempted to turn to electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes, vape pens, and other vaping devices) to ease the transition from traditional cigarettes to not smoking at all. But smoking e-cigarettes (also called vaping) is never a better option."

CIGARETTE SMOKING VS. VAPING

Smoking has some serious health threats. Cigarette contains multiple chemicals including such as Cadmium which is used in car batteries, or tar which is used on the roads. A cigarette stick contains a mixture of Methanol, Ammonia, Acidic Acids and Benzene besides Nicotine, so obviously it is extremely harmful to smoke.

Dr Heroor says, "On the other hand, e-cigarettes or vaping too has its share of harmful effects on human health. It is like making a choice between brick and rock- by which one would prefer to be harmed. However, both would eventually cause damage. An e-cigarette works by heating a liquid, which produces a vapour that the person then inhales. The liquid burns at a lower temperature than a traditional cigarette. While an e-cigarette does not contain tar like a traditional cigarette, it does produce other toxic chemicals. Vaping mechanism includes a heater that heats up various oils along with Nicotine and that gives the user a high."

He also adds that a vape contains various cannabinoids including Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is heated with various other Nicotine compounds to give a high. This in turn damages the lungs by causing irreparable injury. Nicotine itself is quite harmful as it increases the risk of heart attacks and Arrhythmia causing a cardiac stroke.

What happens when you quit..

You breathe better 

People breathe more easily and cough less when they give up smoking because their lung capacity improves by up to 10 per cent in 9 months. In your 20s and 30s, the effect of smoking on your lung capacity may not be noticeable until you go for a run. However, that can change when you age. As you get older, you need healthy lungs to have an active, healthy life without wheezing when you go for a walk or climb the stairs

You have more energy

Within 2 to 12 weeks of quitting, your blood circulation improves. This makes all physical activity, including walking and running, easier. It also reduces mental stress. There are scientific studies that show people's stress levels are lower after they stop smoking. If you find that you are prone to stress, replacing smoking with a healthier, better way of dealing with stress can give you some real benefits

You have a healthier, longer life

Half of all long-term smokers die early from smoking-related diseases, including cancer, heart disease and chronic lung diseases. People who quit smoking by the age of 30 years of age can add ten years to their life. People who kick the habit when they are 60 can add 3 more years to their life. It is never too late to benefit from quitting!