drmarcpicot

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So what is the difference between smoking and vapour?E-cigarette companies market their products as a healthier alternative, but new health concerns about the safety of vaping vs smoking has very recently come out. The vapour from e-cigarettes contains several dangerous substances. These include nicotine, which despite arguments to the contrary has known health concerns, especially up to the age of 25, acrolein (found in herbicides and known to cause lung damage), and heavy metals like nickel and lead. Vaping-related lung problems are a significantly under-recgonised and under-reported cause of lung injury, or EVALI. Cliche, but trust me, I'm a Doctor. I know how time-pressured Doctors are, I know that the majority would be very unlikely to ask about a history of vaping in their routine history taking, and that again the majority wouldn't know how to report them. I have gathered a network of Lung Specialists, most of whom have seen suspected EVALI, yet not reported them. You probably want to know which choice is safer. Medical research reveals facts about both forms of inhalation and how they affect your health, far more about smoking than vaping. This knowledge becomes vital when you think about switching from regular cigarettes or want to learn more about vaping safety.Understanding Smoke vs Vapour FormationThe basic difference between smoke and vapour comes from how they form. Learning about these differences helps us understand their health effects.How Vapour is GeneratedE-cigarettes produce vapour through a controlled heating process that runs at substantially lower temperatures than regular smoking. The vaping device's battery-powered heating element warms an e-liquid. This liquid contains propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, nicotine, and flavouring agents.The e-liquid turns into vapour instead of burning. It becomes an aerosol at temperatures that stay well below the burning point. The device heats the liquid until it changes into tiny airborne droplets. Water, propylene glycol, and glycerol make up most of these droplets.The aerosol contains ultrafine particles. This process happens without creating carbon monoxide, which sets it apart from traditional smoking.Smoke Production ProcessSmoke forms through complex chemical reactions during burning. A lit cigarette burns at different temperatures - it reaches 900°C during puffs and cools to about 400°C between draws.Smoke appears as a concentrated aerosol with liquid particles floating in nitrogen, oxygen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. Several factors affect its makeup:- The tobacco's burning conditions - Oxygen availability - Temperature variations - Chemical reactions during combustion - Modifiable devices had higher metal concentrations overall - Pod systems showed high levels of cobalt and nickel - Tobacco-flavoured products had more metals than mint or fruit varieties - Cadmium - Nickel - LeadVapour might have fewer harmful substances, but researchers at a large research University in the USA called Johns Hopkins University researchers found toxic metals in every tested sample. Several samples had nickel, chromium, lead, manganese, and arsenic above regulatory limits.A little known fact: about 90% of vaping products in the world are made in China, so these results are highly like applicable globally. Ironic, as China has banned online sales of e-cigarettes in its own country and only allows tobacco flavour vapes....Vapour may be less toxic than smoke overall, but it comes with its own risks that need attention.Comparison TableCharacteristicVapourSmokeFormation ProcessElectronic heating of e-liquid without combustionCombustion of tobacco through burningOperating TemperatureSubstantially lower than combustion400-900°C during smokingParticle Size100-200 nanometresNot mentionedNumber of ChemicalsNot specifiedOver 7,000 different chemicalsFormaldehyde Levels0.2-6 micrograms per 15 puffs2-50 micrograms per stickHeavy Metals PresentCadmium Nickel Lead Not specifiedImmediate Heart Rate Effect+4 beats per minute (not significant)Not specifiedBlood Pressure Change122/72 to 127/77 mm Hg (not significant)Not specifiedOxygen Saturation EffectNot specified-0.6% immediately after smokingRecovery TimelineBlood vessel function improves within 4 weeksCardiovascular risk returns to normal in up to 15 yearsWound Healing EffectOne cartridge daily matches pack-a-day smoking effectsMajor delays in healingHealth Risk Level9-450 times lower toxin levels than smokeHighest risk; leading preventable cause of deathConclusionScience shows differences between smoke and vapour, though neither proves safe. Lab tests reveal vapour contains far fewer toxins than cigarette smoke - about 9 to 450 times less. Yet e-cigarette emissions still carry dangerous levels of heavy metals and harmful compounds.The human body reacts uniquely to each substance. Smoke causes severe reactions throughout organ systems right away. Vapour leads to milder immediate effects. Both substances substantially slow down wound healing and tissue repair. A single e-cigarette cartridge matches the healing delays from a whole pack of cigarettes.Current science suggests vapour poses fewer risks than smoke. This comes with a warning: avoiding both substances remains the healthiest choice. Toxic metals, immediate body changes, and unknown future effects make vapour a health risk that needs careful evaluation, even if it proves less dangerous than smoke.If you do decide to use vaping as a tool to quit smoking, the sensible advice if you have the greatest degree of respect for your health and the risk of the unknowns, is to use it short-term (around 12 months) - then aim ti quit. However, the choice is yours and should be respected.I personally enjoy breathing fresh air again.Authored by Dr Marc Picot, Founder Vape EscapeAn ex-vaper and Doctor aware of the difficulties in beating nicotine addiction in the form of vaping, I created this mission as a passion project. A last resort attempt in a desperate situation, I tried nicotine in the form of vaping to treat a very distressing side effect, called akathisia, of a medication I was taking to treat depression.Alongside being a Doctor, I am an accredited Health Coach specialising in Vaping Cessation.I believe my coaching qualification, medical background and vaping research, combined with my previous experience as an ex-vaper struggling to find help when I was going through it, puts me in a great position to help you if you are motivated to achieve your goal of being vape-free! Read the full article

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How Schools Can Identify, Address, and Combat Teenage VapingVaping among children and young persons is on the rise, creating challenges for parents, teachers, and educators to ensure a safe and healthy environment. According to Action on Smoking and Health UK, 15.5% of 11-to-17-year-olds reported having tried vaping, with disposable e-cigarettes becoming especially popular. While some view vaping as a harmless trend or alternative to traditional smoking, the reality is far more concerning: nicotine is a highly addictive substance. Its effects on young users developing brains, coupled with easy access, the device of choice are disposable vapes being sky high in nicotine content - demanding greater awareness and prompt action.This post highlights how schools can identify signs of vaping, understand its potential dangers, and implement effective strategies to deter such behaviour. Parents, teachers, and educators will also find valuable resources to support vaping cessation and educate students on the risks.Recognising the Signs of Vaping in TeenagersVaping is far more discreet than smoking and has an almost undetectable smell afterwards, making it harder to detect. However, there are physical, behavioural, and environmental clues that can be picked up on to to prompt an open discussion on whether a chid or young person may be vaping.Physical SymptomsUnusual scents: Although fairly odourless, vape liquids may leave a fruity or sweet smell that lingers on clothing or in rooms. Dry mouth and increased thirst: Vaping can cause dehydration due to the ingredients in e-liquids, such as propylene glycol, a 'carrier substance' for the nicotine. Frequent coughing and throat irritation: A persistent cough or complaints of a sore throat may be a clue to vaping. Mouth sores or dental issues: Vaping often irritates the mouth, leading to sores or an increase in oral health problems. These can often be detected by dentists also. Shifts in stamina and breathing: Reduced athletic performance or complaints of being short of breath could be another subtle sign. Secrecy and withdrawal: Becoming more secretive, hiding devices or sneaking off to vape in private. Decreased focus in school: Nicotine addiction commonly affects cognitive performance and concentration, leading to worsening educational performance as a direct result on a young, developing brain. The brain continues to grown until aged 25! Change in peer groups: Sudden shifts in social circles may indicate new influences tied to vaping habits, to fit in and fall under the influence of peer pressure. Unusual items: Look for unfamiliar objects like USB-shaped devices, small cartridges, or bottles labelled with fluid flavours. Clouds or residue: Vapour may leave behind wisps of mist or sticky film on windows and desks in indoor settings. Nicotine Addiction: The third most addictive drug behind heroin and cocaine, nicotine and can disrupt brain development - studies show regular use is implicated in cognitive dysfunction and learning difficulties. Respiratory Problems: Vaping can cause inflammation in the lungs, land exacerbate pre-existing conditions such as asthma. The cases of 'popcorn lung', exclusively in the USA, have however been debunked as these were related to contaminated cannabis vapes and not nicotine. Toxic Chemicals: Many vape liquids contain harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and acrolein. - Mental Health Illness: There’s an existing body of evidence linking mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, to smoking. This is as a result of the psychoactive component nicotine - the same drug in vapes, often in higher concentrations, and can therefore be translated across to vaping. Conduct training workshops that guide staff in spotting the signs of vaping. Include vaping education in health and well-being curriculums to highlight its health risks and debunk myths. There are several useful online resources for guidance, and some vaping awareness campaigners in the health and addiction sector are offering great services in conducting talks in schools, such as Mira Osinibi, a Paediatric Respiratory Nurse Specialist at King's College Hospital. Invest in vape detectors for bathrooms and secluded areas. These devices function like smoke alarms but are designed to catch vapour exclusively, and trigger an alarm as to the location to a phone or computer so the child can be 'caught', and an opportunity arises to provide appropriate education and signposting to help. Such devices include VapeTech. Punitive measures: likely to make matters worse and should be used with caution, if at all. Build an anonymous reporting system so students can report vaping incidents without fear of being penalised. Have a lead within your school responsible for such reporting and implementing actionable steps. Evaluate and update your school policies to address vaping explicitly. Clearly state consequences for vaping and explain the support available for those trying to quit. Engage parents through regular communication and focus groups. Provide them with resources to talk to their teens about vaping at home, that can be found online from reputable sites. Partner with local healthcare services to provide educational sessions, signposting to help, and access to apps designed to help the quit vaping process. Canadian Lung Association: Offers a detailed guide on how to communicate with children about vaping and strategies to deter further use. Australian Authorities: Another dedicated resource offering education and advice, offering parental advice on speaking to your child.  ASH: A brief guide on policy development for schools. The PSHE Association: Provides lesson plans and resources focused on the risks of vaping. MIND and Kooth: Mental Health Charities who have kindly offered their services to be signposted to for any psychological symptoms related to vaping use or withdrawal. Find some free downloadable resources kindly provided on our Resources page. We Are With You: A UK charity offering free, confidential advice to young people about substance use, including vaping.Encourage students, staff, and families to make use of these resources together. Combatting vaping requires a collaborative effort, where everyone comes together to prioritise the health and well-being of the youth of today.Early Action Matters in the Fight Against VapingVaping amongst children and young adults is a growing concern in schools across the UK, but early detection and intervention hold the key to managing it effectively. This is certainly not a problem unique to the UK, but on the global rise. Recognising the signs, understanding the risks, and fostering open conversations are all critical steps in overcoming the fight against vaping.Schools, parents, and teachers have a united role to play in creating an environment that discourages vaping while providing support to those who struggle with it. By adapting proactive measures — from education to cessation programs — you can empower students to make healthier choices and protect their long-term health.Let's do this together. Read the full article