The vape is a small electronic device that uses a battery to heat and vaporise liquids. The liquid inside is called e-liquid or e-juice and usually contains nicotine, along with flavourings and other chemicals. It can also contain solvents, such as acetone, which irritates the skin and eyes. It also often contains metals such as lead and cadmium. It is designed to look like a cigarette and comes in many flavours, such as mango, cucumber and cream. The device is popular with young people. It has been marketed to them by being positively portrayed in films and rebranded as a cool alternative to smoking. It is sold to them in brightly coloured packaging with images of celebrities and sports stars. It is also very affordable and easy to use.
The vapor is breathed in and can damage the lungs. It can cause inflammation, or swelling, in the lungs and narrowing of the tubes that bring air in and out of the lungs. These changes can make breathing difficult and can increase the risk of lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cancer. Some of the damage caused by vaping can heal, but others are permanent and cannot be reversed.
Some of the unknown health risks of the device include what happens to the brain when a person uses it and whether it increases the likelihood of using other tobacco products, such as regular cigarettes, cigars or smokeless tobacco. Nicotine is known to affect concentration and brain development, and it may make it harder for children and teens to learn and concentrate. It can also make it harder for them to control their impulses and can increase the risk of taking other drugs.
A new report from the US Food and Drug Administration says that e-cigarettes can cause serious injuries or even death when used by kids and teenagers. The FDA says that the e-cigarettes can be tampered with and have been found to be leaking dangerous chemicals, including heavy metals. They can also be set on fire, and the devices can cause injuries or death when a person is driving or operating machinery.
The FDA is cracking down on the manufacturers, banning many flavours and ordering them to submit their products for approval. But the move is being criticized by some as self-defeating. They argue that it could create a black market for products made abroad, and that the F.D.A is taking too much of a scattergun approach, especially as it is still reviewing more than a million applications.
If you know someone who is using a vape, talk to them about the dangers. You can offer them support to quit and help them find alternatives, such as smoking cessation medications or quitting cold turkey. It’s important to tell them not to buy vaping products from anyone other than a licensed retailer, and to be careful not to use homemade or modified products. You can also help by not smoking around them and not letting them use vapes in public spaces.