Vaping Information For Professionals
What is a Vape?
A vape which is also known as e-cigarette is an electronic device used as a stop smoking aid. According to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) smokefree adult survey, 50% of adults who smoke, misperceive that vapes are a lot more or equally as harmful as cigarettes. According to current evidence, vapes are significantly less harmful than tobacco cigarettes and can help individuals quit smoking.
What do vapes contain?
Vapes work by heating a solution called e-liquid to inhale vapour, thereby delivering nicotine to the body. Vapes normally contain nicotine, vegetable glycerine, propylene glycol and flavourings. Currently, approximately 60% of vapes do not conform with British regulations.
To be legally sold in the UK, nicotine containing e-cigarettes must also:
- Contain 20 mg/ml or less of nicotine (equivalent to 2% or less)
- Carry the health warning ‘This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance.’
- Be notified to the MHRA and listed on its website.
Vapes mostly sold online, from dealers and on social media may contain harmful substances and are illegal because they do not meet the UK safety regulations. Some of these products have been found to contain harmful substances like lead (found in paint, batteries), formaldehyde (used in production of antiseptics and fertilizers), nickel (found in batteries), chromium (used to manufacture steel), acetaldehyde (used in production of chemicals like herbicides and perfumes) and unsafe nicotine levels.
Types of vapes (e-cigarettes)
Vapes come in different shapes and sizes. The e-liquids in vapes come in different flavours and nicotine strength from 0mg/ml to 20mg/ml. The maximum nicotine strength allowed in the UK is 20mg/ml. The types of vape include:
- Cigalikes
- Compact pod devices
- Vape bars
- Vape pens
- Disposable vapes
Myths about vaping
There is a lot of misleading information about vapes, we refer to them as ‘myths’. Some of them include:
Diacetyl is a chemical that was used to produce a buttery flavour in foods like popcorn, and when it is inhaled it causes a rare condition called bronchiolitis obliterans which is a respiratory condition that affects the lungs. In the past this chemical was used in some flavourings used in vapes hence the concern about people getting ‘popcorn’ lungs from vaping. In the UK diacetyl is banned as an ingredient for use with vapes.
Nicotine vaping is not risk-free, although it is far less h than harmful then smoking. In 2022, researchers in the UK reported “in the short and medium-term, vaping poses a small fraction of the risks of smoking” after reviewing data from around the globe.
The cycle of nicotine withdrawal may be the cause of the widespread misperception that vapes are a stress reliever. Some of the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal include irritability, anxiety, and despair; consuming nicotine temporarily eases these symptoms but does not make stress or anxiety go away. There are healthier ways to manage stress.
Facts about vaping
There is a lot of misleading information about vapes, we refer to them as ‘myths’. Some of them include:
- It is only recommended for smokers who want to quit and are 18 years above.
- Vaping is less harmful to the health than smoking but it doesn’t mean it is harmless (especially for children and young people under 18)
- Some disposable vapes on sale are illegal
- Most vapes contain nicotine which is an addictive substance that can be hard to stop using once you’ve started
- In the UK it is illegal to sell nicotine vaping products to someone under the age of 18, or for adults to buy these products for them.
- Nicotine is more harmful for children and young people than for adults, as evidence suggests that the developing brain is more at risk to dependence.
FAQ's
You should use your device to help manage nicotine withdrawal and urges to smoke. You will soon discover the best way for you of using your device.
It’s not like a cigarette, which you would smoke from start to finish; with an e-cigarette or vape you can ‘sip’ on it once or twice, and then put it away. If you find that you have your vape in your mouth all the time, you may need to use a higher nicotine strength liquid.
Nicotine does not cause smoking related disease, such as cancers and heart disease. These are caused by other chemicals found in tobacco.
Nicotine is addictive and is why people continue to smoke despite knowing about the harmful effects. Nicotine in e-cigarettes poses little danger to adult users.
To prevent accidental poisoning of children and pets, e-cigarettes and liquids should be stored away safely and out of reach.
When you are ready to start reducing vape usage, many of the techniques that you learnt when quitting smoking such as distraction, changing routines and a gradual reduction in nicotine content may help.
Some people find leaving their vape in a drawer or a designated place in the house can help to reduce usage as it helps to prevent ‘sipping’ on the vape out of habit. If you need extra support, talking to a stop smoking practitioner or using a licenced NRT product such as a patch can be useful.