The Dangers of Vaping
For decades, much has been said about the negative health effects of smoking. Electronic cigarettes (i.e., E-cigarettes, vapes) were introduced and highlighted as a safer alternative to smoking. Since 2014, E-cigarettes have been the most common form of nicotine product used by youth in the United States. According to the CDC, 2.13 million students endorsed using e-cigarettes in 2023.
Dr. Jacob Pessia, DO, Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Holzer Health System, is passionate about informing others about vaping and its negative health effects. “Today, we are seeing high rates regarding teens’ usage of vaping. This includes middle school and high school students. Even though the law states that people cannot vape until they are 21 years of age, there are many students who have access to supplies and engage in vaping on a consistent basis. This is way more common than it should be,” says Dr. Pessia.
“I have heard many cases of students who are getting suspended and are dealing with behavioral issues due to nicotine dependence. Many schools have started to crack down on students who vape by installing vape detectors in school bathrooms and limiting restroom breaks.”
Why is it that vaping appears to be one of the top rule breakers in school, and not smoking? Dr. Pessia answers this question, saying, “There is an argument to be made that vaping is more appealing than regular smoking. For example, when you smell regular secondhand smoking, it isn’t appealing; it just smells like smoke and dirt. However, vaping can attract many young adolescents because of its diverse, welcoming smells. Many users have vapes that generate fruity smells.”
Dr. Pessia talks about the severity of vaping with nicotine, saying, “It is problematic. Being dependent on something can minimize focus and complicate everyday life. Nicotine is very addictive and is hard to quit. It has many long-term effects, such as coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, cardiovascular effects, blood pressure issues, strokes, and much more. These are very serious issues that negate quality of life and can cause death.”
In addition, individuals can vape with THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), a cannabinoid found in cannabis. The psychoactive effects of cannabis are mainly due to THC. Dr. Pessia says, “Vaping THC oil is not a harmless act. It can have a negative impact on your respiratory health. THC can also increase your chances of having a seizure. There have been reports of kids being diagnosed with “popcorn lung” from vaping. A “popcorn lung” happens when the lungs’ small airways are damaged. If this happens, your chances of having major medical issues increase, potentially leading to the need for a lung transplant.”
Unfortunately, vaping tends to come with many unknowns that are difficult to monitor. Dr. Pessia says, “It’s common that people will not know how much nicotine or THC they are getting in their vape cartridges. If we look at tobacco use or regular smoking, you can gauge how much nicotine someone is getting by how many cans of tobacco they have used or how many cigarettes they have smoked. With refillable vape cartridges, it’s inconsistent. You don’t really know how much nicotine you are getting with each puff. You could receive one cartridge that has a lot of nicotine, then get another that has less. This is problematic because the monitoring of nicotine levels is important in gauging nicotine dependence. There’s also a chance that vaping products could be cut with other substances. If that happens, users could be exposed to something else entirely, which is both risky and dangerous.”
Dr. Pessia highlights the impact that vaping can have on young peoples’ brains, saying, “When you burn a cigarette, you get thousands of different chemicals that are carcinogenic. With vaping, people think they are not using anything of that sort, but there are commonalities. Vaping items release an abundance of toxic compounds that can negatively impact one’s body, especially the brain.”
Vaping devices have also been known to cause fires and explosions. The National Library of Medicine reports, “From 2009 to 2016, there were 195 e-cigarette explosions in the United States reported by the media, resulting in 133 injuries, with burns being the most common injury. Moreover, in 2016 alone, an estimated 1,007 e-cigarette burn injuries were treated in emergency departments across the United States.” These hazardous occurrences continue to transpire.
In closing, communication is key. It is vital that patients be open and honest with their primary care provider or pediatrician. “If you are curious, ask questions. If you have concerns and would like to quit vaping, seek professional advice. For those interested in quitting, there are several programs and organizations that offer assistance. Also, pediatricians can prescribe nicotine replacement therapy as well as other prescription medications to treat nicotine dependence,” says Dr. Pessia.
Dr. Pessia is accepting patients in Gallipolis, Jackson, and Meigs. He is a graduate of Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, located in Athens, Ohio. For more information, or to make an appointment, call 855-446-5937 or go online at https://www.holzer.org/appointment/online-scheduling-jacob-pessia/.
