Vaping – What you need to know

What is vaping?

Vaping products (electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes) are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid and produce an aerosol that the user inhales (breathes) into their lungs. These devices are sometimes referred to as vaporizers, “mods,” e-hookahs, “sub-ohms,” tank systems, or vape pens. They may vary slightly in appearance, but operate in the same way.

The liquid (sometimes called e-liquid) in a vaping product is made up of a variety of ingredients, which usually include nicotine (the highly addictive drug found in tobacco products). ), propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin and flavourings. Many of these substances are considered safe to ingest (consume through food); however, when these liquids are heated, other chemicals are released which may not be safe to inhale. For example, the heating process can produce chemicals like formaldehyde and other contaminants including nickel, tin and aluminum.

We have the following recommendations for Canadians considering the use of vaping products:

• Get the facts: Vaping has significant health risks; it is recommended that you understand the possible short-term and long-term health outcomes before you start vaping. Evidence is mounting that e-cigarettes cause serious lung disease.
• Non-smokers, pregnant women, and people who have quit smoking should refrain from vaping.
• Young people should be educated about their higher risk of nicotine addiction than the general population and should be strongly encouraged not to vape.
• If you vape:

○ Watch for symptoms that may affect your respiratory health and tell your healthcare professional that you are vaping.

○ If you smoke and use vaping to quit, be aware that there is no significant evidence to support vaping as an effective smoking cessation tool. We recommend:

• do not vape;
• Discuss clinically proven methods for quitting smoking with a healthcare professional.

Aromas and youth

More than 7,000 e-liquid flavors are available in Canada to appeal to young people and children. These appealing “flavors” range from cotton candy to chocolate to mango and more. These aromas appeal to young people more than any other group. In fact, more than 83% of young people (15 to 19 years old) who use electronic cigarettes say they use e-liquids with fruit or candy/dessert flavors. Disguising a nicotine product with the names of desserts and sweets conceals its harmful effects and makes it more appealing. But behind flavored e-liquids, there are other realities.

In addition to creating nicotine addiction in a new generation of Canadians, there are a number of as yet unknown health risks.

We may have analyzed the chemicals present in the e-liquid to confirm that they are safe if eaten, they have not been tested in the event that they are inhaled. When heated, liquids release chemicals that could cause long-term damage to the lungs. The heating process can release chemicals like formaldehyde and other contaminants like nickel, tin and aluminum.

Adding flavors to tobacco has been banned because of their obvious marketing to young people – and vaping should be treated no differently. It is essential to abolish the inviting flavors of vaping products in order to protect the lungs of children.

What are the health effects of vaping?

Whenever we breathe into our lungs anything other than medicine or fresh air, there is a risk of a negative effect. Vaping is no exception. Research continues to better understand the long-term health effects of vaping on Canadians. But to date, we already know that it causes certain negative effects.

• Nicotine addiction: Vaping products contain large amounts of nicotine, a highly addictive drug. For example, a Juul brand “pod” contains as much nicotine as 20 cigarettes (approximately one pack). As a result, one can quickly become addicted and one is more likely to start smoking traditional cigarettes.
• Adverse health effects of tobacco use include worsening of existing lung problems, lung cancer, and COPD, among others.
• Short-Term Symptoms: Users should watch for signs such as coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea, which may indicate lung damage. If you have these symptoms, seek medical assistance.
• Lung disease: Vaping can aggravate asthma and other existing lung diseases. Inhaling harmful chemicals from vaping products can cause irreversible (non-curable) lung damage, lung disease and, in some cases, death. Certain chemicals in vaping products can also lead to cardiovascular disease and biological changes associated with the development of cancer.

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