patient education : 92008--Electronic Smoking Devices

What is an Electronic Smoking Device, ESD?

• ESDs include: e-cigarettes, JUUL, Mods, Vapes, or other devices that emit doses of vaporized solutions for the user to inhale. This is called vaping. 

• Most e-liquids contain nicotine, flavoring, and substances to help it retain moisture and create the aerosol when heated.

How much nicotine is in an ESD?

• Nicotine levels in ESDs are highly variable, with some reaching or exceeding levels found in combustible cigarettes.

Are there dangers to using ESDs?

• Since ESDs are still considered a new product, there is no current data to the long term effects of use. There are more and more studies that are showing concerns for the cardiovascular and pulmonary system.

• Young adults (18-35) who used ESDs the previous year increased their chances of smoking cigarettes daily and increase their chances of being diagnosed with a tobacco use disorder. 

Common Myths

• It’s just water vapor-  But it is not. Vaping can expose the user’s lungs to harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, diacetyl, and acrolein, as well as toxic metal particles like nickel, tin, and lead.
• Just because I vape doesn’t mean I’m going to smoke cigarettes.
• Research shows that people who vape are more likely to try smoking cigarettes.

• Vaping has no health risks- Vaping poses its own unique health risks to your body.

• Vaping can help you quit smoking- The FDA has not approved the use of electronic smoking devices for tobacco cessation. There are studies that show that people who choose to use ESDs to quit, have actually continued to use both e-cigarettes and combustible cigarettes.

For more information visit the CDC’s website- https://www.cdc.gov and search “e-cigs”

OR

https://www.smokefree.gov and search “ecigs”