Congratulations humans, for inventing yet another way to get hooked on nicotine. The wondrous vaping is humanity’s latest attempt to inhale something other than plain old air. Let’s dive into this misty realm of electronic nicotine delivery, shall we?
Since the mid-2000s, when some genius decided that traditional cigarettes weren’t techy enough, vaping devices have been on a meteoric rise. Picture this: by 2019, a whopping 42 million adults globally thought, “You know what? I’d love to suck on a battery-powered stick.” This zoomed up to 68 million in 2020 and 82 million in 2020. At this rate today more than 100 million are vaping away. Now, that’s what I call progress!
And let’s not forget the youth – always at the forefront of questionable trends. In the US, the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey found that 10% of high school students were current e-cigarette users. Apparently, homework and acne weren’t enough to deal with.
Internationally, it’s a veritable vaping variety show. The UK, ever the trendsetter, boasts an adult vaping rate of 8.3%. France follows with 5.5%, Canada with 5%, and New Zealand with 4.3%.
Meanwhile, Japan and Sweden sit in the corner, preferring their heated tobacco and snus. How quaint. You would be justified in asking, “What is this heated tobacco and snus? Don’t worry curiosity will not kill the cat in this case.
These are the results of humanity’s endless quest to find “healthier” ways to consume nicotine. Here’s the latest chapter in our species’ creative dance with addiction:
Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs)
Setting leaves on fire is so last century. These fancy gadgets heat tobacco just enough to release nicotine without the whole messy burning business. Think of it as a microwave for your vice – keeping it under a toasty 600°C. How thoughtful.
Popular brands include the oh-so-sleek IQOS and glo – because nothing says “I’m health-conscious” like a designer nicotine delivery system. Sure, they’re “less harmful” than cigarettes, but so is getting hit by a bicycle instead of a truck.
Snus
Vaping is not the only way to avoid cigarettes. Not tobacco or nicotine, just cigarettes – so remember. Snus is Sweden’s gift to oral fixations. Just tuck a little pouch of powdered tobacco under your upper lip and let the nicotine seep directly into your bloodstream. How refined! The EU banned it everywhere except Sweden – because someone has to keep the tradition alive.
While it won’t turn your lungs into a smokestack, it might still mess with your heart and reproductive system. But hey, at least you won’t smell like an ashtray.
The bottom line? Whether you’re heating it or stuffing it in your lip, tobacco is still tobacco. But points for creativity in finding new ways to maintain the habit while pretending it’s somehow better for you.
But fear not, vape enthusiasts! To save the day the Western world adopts a “legal but regulated” strategy. The UK, bless its heart, is practically handing out e-cigarettes as party favours in the name of smoking cessation. The EU, ever the bureaucratic dreamland, regulates vaping under the Tobacco Products Directive – because nothing says “fun” like standardized safety regulations.
And then there’s the United States, where vaping regulation is about as clear as a cloud of e-cigarette vapour. While vaping products are technically legal nationwide, over 600 U.S. municipalities have decided that flavoured vapes are just too darn appealing to the youth. Heaven forbid they enjoy their nicotine addiction!
Although, vaping is banned in India, behold the brilliant solution by its innovative youth! They have rendered it as effective as paper umbrellas in monsoons. India's tech-savvy youth have mastered the art of playing hide-and-seek with enforcement officials, treating the ban as more of a quaint suggestion than actual law.
Now, let’s talk about health effects – because who doesn’t love a good pro-con list?
On the “pro” side:
1. Smoking Cessation: A 2023 Cochrane Review suggests that for every 100 people using nicotine e-cigarettes to quit smoking, 10 to 14 might actually succeed. Hurrah for the lucky dozen-ish!
2. Harm Reduction: E-cigarettes are apparently 95% less harmful than traditional cigarettes. So, only 5% harmful! What a bargain!
3. Second-hand Exposure: Good news, everyone! You can now annoy bystanders with your vape clouds while feeling slightly less guilty. A 2023 study found that e-cigarette aerosol has lower levels of harmful compounds than cigarette smoke. It’s practically a public service!
But wait, there’s more! There’s the “con” side too:
1. Nicotine Addiction: Turns out, that delivering high levels of an addictive substance might lead to... addiction. Who knew? The 2022 Surgeon General’s Report was particularly concerned about those pesky adolescent brains and their annoying tendency to be affected by nicotine.
2. Gateway Effect: Will vaping lead to smoking? Maybe! A 2023 meta-analysis found that while e-cigarette use was associated with increased odds of subsequent cigarette smoking, this association is decreasing over time. So, it’s a gateway that’s slowly closing. How exciting!
3. Lung Health: A 2023 study found that even short-term e-cigarette use can lead to small airway obstruction and increased airway resistance. But hey, at least your lungs are getting a workout, right?
4. EVALI or E-cigarette or Vaping Associated Lung Injury: Remember the 2019 vaping lung injury outbreak? Good times. While cases have declined, it’s a lovely reminder that inhaling mystery liquids might have consequences. Who’d have thunk it?
Globally, policymakers are having a ball regulating this stuff:
1. New Zealand implemented a “smoke-free generation” policy in 2023. Born after 2008? No vapes for you!
2. Canada decided in 2023 that nicotine should be limited and flavours restricted to tobacco and mint/menthol. Because nothing says “quit smoking” like the taste of tobacco.
3. Australia is sticking to its guns with a prescription-only model for nicotine e-cigarettes. Nothing like needing a doctor’s note to get your fix!
4. The EU is revisiting its Tobacco Products Directive, potentially banning flavours and increasing taxes. Because if there’s one thing the EU loves more than regulations, it’s taxes.
5. In the US, the FDA continues its thrilling review of e-cigarette products. The end result remains a suspense. Edge-of-your-seat stuff, really.
6. Predictably, India has legislated a ban and then the legislators went into a slumber! In 2019 the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarette Act or PECA prohibited the production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, and advertisement of e-cigarettes. Even possession of an e-cigarette is a crime! But the powers that be forgot to enforce the law. It's truly heartwarming to watch a nation that's home to some of the world's finest IT professionals pretend that they can't figure out how to get their hands on devices that are being shipped to every corner of the globe. As the global vaping market races at 31% annual compound rate toward a staggering $50 billion valuation, India stands firm on its moral high ground – or at least the appearance of it – while underground markets flourish like bacteria in a petri dish. Who needs regulated safety standards anyway?
So, like all banned stuff, our youth can easily get the stuff from a paan-bidi shop or even a friendly NRI visitor. Laws are meant to be violated, that’s the prevalent idea. No sir, you cannot bulldoze the delinquent’s house. Bulldozers are for... you know what and who.
Now, for all you expectant mothers out there wondering if vaping during pregnancy is a good idea, here’s the scoop:
- A 2023 review found that e-cigarette use during pregnancy was associated with increased risks of small-for-gestational-age births and preterm delivery. But hey, at least the risks were lower than with traditional cigarettes! Silver linings, people.
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recommends pregnant individuals should not use e-cigarettes. Party poopers.
- A 2024 study found that exposure to e-cigarette aerosol during pregnancy was associated with subtle neurodevelopmental changes in infants. But who doesn’t love a little surprise when it comes to child development?
And for all you aspiring Picassos and Olympic athletes out there, I’ve got bad news:
- Another 2023 review found no convincing evidence that nicotine or vaping enhances creative thinking or artistic output. So much for “vape for inspiration.”
- The World Anti-Doping Agency is keeping an eye on nicotine but hasn’t banned it as of 2024. So vape away, athletes! Just don’t be surprised when your performance tanks.
- A 2024 study found that acute use of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes led to temporary increases in heart rate and blood pressure. But who needs stable vitals for sports, anyway?
As we hurtle towards the future, our understanding of vaping’s impacts continues to evolve. It’s a brave new world where we’re balancing the potential benefits for adult smokers against the need to protect youth and non-smokers. Because apparently, we can’t have nice things without someone trying to ruin it for everyone.
For individuals, especially pregnant women, youth, and athletes, the current evidence suggests caution. But let’s be real – when has caution ever been fun?
In conclusion, as vaping approaches its teenage years as a mainstream phenomenon, we’re still figuring out if it’s a rebellious phase or here to stay. Will it be the saviour of smokers or the doom of a new generation? Only time, and countless more studies, will tell. In the meantime, vape at your own risk – and maybe consider taking up a less controversial hobby. Painting, for example?
Ah, but that is so last century, right?
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