SMOKING cigarettes and vaping are both bad for the lungs, according to Kurt Songsong, health educator of the nicotine cessation classes under the non-communicable disease programs of the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.
“Most e-cigarettes (vapes) contain nicotine, the addictive drug in regular cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products,” he said.
Citing a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Songsong said 99% of e-cigarettes sold in assessed venues in the U.S. contained nicotine.
Aside from nicotine, he said there are other chemicals in the substance used in vaping that can harm the lungs.
“The e-cigarette aerosol that users breathe through the device can contain harmful and potentially harmful substances, including ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs,” he said. “Flavorings such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious lung disease, volatile organic compounds, cancer-causing chemicals, and heavy metals, such as nickel, tin, and lead — these can harm the parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control,” Songsong added.
“Individuals who use e-cigarettes may be more likely to smoke regular cigarettes in the future,” he said.
