Is Vaping an Epidemic?

Is Vaping an Epidemic?

E-Cigarettes/Vaping are devices that deliver nicotine, flavorings, and other substances through an inhaled aerosol. For example, e-cigs, e-hookahs, mods, vape pens, vapes, tank systems.

E-Cigarettes are the most commonly used form of tobacco by young adults (aged 18-25) in the US¹. In fact, 9 out of every 10 vaper has used a flavored taste such as menthol, alcohol, candy, fruit, chocolate, or other sweets. This increase in usage has lead the Surgeon General to declare vaping as an epidemic among ages 15-252.  

The top selling e-cigarette brand on the market is JUUL. JUUL is shaped like a flash drive and is battery-powered. Many vapers use JUUL products. However, JUUL has been found to have high levels of nicotine similar to a pack of 20 cigarettes¹. 

What is leading to an increase in vaping usage among young adults? Most young adults report they began vaping due to curiosity, taste, or the belief that they are less harmful than regular cigarettes¹.

There are several beliefs influencing young adults to vape. First, young adults believe that vaping consists only of water and some flavoring. Some e-cigarette products are marketed as containing zero percent nicotine but have been found to contain nicotine. Most e-cigarettes products have nicotine. Additionally, e-cigarette aerosol is NOT harmless “water vapor.” E-cigarette aerosol generally contains fewer toxic chemicals than the deadly mix of 7,000 chemicals in smoke from regular cigarettes; however, e-cigarette aerosol contains harmful and potentially harmful substances, including nicotine and, heavy metals like lead, volatile organic compounds, and other cancer-causing agents¹.

Second, young adults often believe that e-cigarette smoking is less harmful than regular cigarette smoking. In comparison to smoking cigarettes, e-cigarettes contain 3-5x more nicotine than regular cigarettes, which is the addictive drug found in cigarettes. Thus, vaping is more addictive than regular cigarettes¹. Vaping also leads to other negative physical health outcomes such as stunting brain growth and development; affecting attention, learning, mood, and impulse control; lowering memory and concentration; and damaging lung capacity and health. E-cigarettes can also lead to addiction to other substances such as cigarette smoking, marijuana, meth, etc.¹ 

Last, young adults believe that e-cigarette smoking can help in quitting smoking regular cigarettes. E-cigarettes are currently not approved by the FDA as a tobacco treatment aid. There is insufficient evidence to recommend e-cigarettes for smoking cessation in adults¹. In a 2018 study done by the National Academy of Medicine, there is evidence that smoking e-cigarettes leads to greater frequency and amount of cigarette smoking in the future¹.

Historically, the tobacco industry sold cigarettes as a healthy option, even though they knew it caused cancer. Today, the nicotine industry is pushing e-cigarettes as a “healthy alternative to cigarettes”. Don’t be fooled! We know that nicotine is addictive, harmful, and found in much larger quantities in e-cigarettes. 

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1 (CDC, 2017)

2 Becker, R. (2018, December 18). What it means that the Surgeon General now call vaping an ‘epidemic.’ The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/18/18147223/vaping-epidemic-surgeon-general-advisory-electronic-cigarette-teen-health