Thinking about quitting

What are e-cigarettes?

E-cigarettes, also known as e-cigs, MODs and vapes, are battery-powered devices that try to create the same feeling as smoking cigarettes but without tobacco. They use an e-juice solution that is heated and inhaled. The e-juice varies by brand, but commonly includes propylene glycol, glycerol and flavouring.

Often e-cigarettes also contain nicotine, the addictive drug in tobacco. Different brands and models of e-cigarettes have different amounts of nicotine. When you puff on an e-cigarette and inhale the vapour, the nicotine enters your lungs as a vaporized solution.

How do they compare to conventional cigarettes?

E-cigarettes are less harmful than conventional cigarettes, but they still cause harm. Studies on the long-term risks of e-cigarettes have not yet been done.

E-cigarettes should not be used by youth, non-smokers or ex-smokers who have quit altogether. If you are a smoker who has tried other methods to quit but have not succeeded, you could try e-cigarettes. Smokers unable to quit completely would be better off from a health perspective to use e-cigarettes on a longer-term basis if needed. Current research shows that you should completely stop smoking conventional cigarettes to get the comparative health benefit of using e-cigarettes (that is, the lesser harm caused by e-cigarettes compared to the greater harm caused by conventional cigarettes).

The best approach for your health is to quit using any type of cigarette or tobacco product altogether. Behavioural support or cessation aids or both increase the chances of successfully quitting.  Source

Health Risks and Vaping

Vaping is less harmful than smoking conventional cigarettes, but it can still cause harm. Youth, non-smokers and ex-smokers should not vape. Most vaping products contain nicotine which can lead to a dependence and cause a nicotine addiction among users that would not have started using nicotine otherwise.

Vaping can increase your exposure to chemicals that could harm your health. The main liquids in vaping products are vegetable glycerine and propylene glycol. These substances are considered safe in many consumer products, however, the long-term safety of inhaling these substances is unknown and continues to be assessed. Chemicals used to flavour vape products are used by food manufacturers and are safe to eat, but they have not been tested to see if they are safe to breathe in. In order to create the vapour that is inhaled, the vaping liquid must be heated. This process can create new chemicals, such as formaldehydes.

Long-term health impacts of vaping are unknown, however, there is enough evidence to support preventing use by youth and non-smokers. To reduce health risks, engage in vaping only as an aid to quitting smoking when other methods are unsuccessful.

Youth and Vaping

Most vaping products contain nicotine at varying levels. In some cases, vaping products can have nicotine levels higher than a cigarette. Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical.

Youth are especially susceptible to the negative effects of nicotine. It can alter their brain development and can affect memory and concentration. It can also lead to addiction and physical dependence. Exposure to nicotine during adolescence may cause reduced impulse control and cognitive and behavioural problems.

Even if there is no nicotine in vaping products, there is still a risk for exposure to other harmful chemicals.

Visit Health Canada for resources to talk to your teen about vaping.

Visit Health Canada for more resources on vaping.