Cigarettes vs Vapes: Unveiling the Hidden Dangers
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18:51 17 Feb 2024, Updated 19:13 17 Feb 2024
Cigarettes and vapes have been the subject of a heated debate, as smokers and vapers seek to understand which option poses the lesser risk to their health. Recent studies and comprehensive analyses have shed light on the potentially alarming risks associated with electronic cigarettes, which were once hailed as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes.
The Chemical Comparison
On one hand, cigarettes contain over 7,000 chemicals, with many of them being cancer-causing substances. Vapes, on the other hand, are believed to contain around 2,000 chemicals. It is worth noting that vapes do not produce tar or carbon monoxide, two major harmful elements found in tobacco smoke.
Understanding the Health Risks
A range of concerning risks has been associated with vaping. Recent studies have linked vaping to severe damage to blood vessels and permanent lung scarring. Experts are now questioning whether e-cigarettes cause less damage than traditional cigarettes or simply cause a different type of damage. Traditional cigarettes, notorious for increasing the risk of cancer 15-fold, are known to compromise the blood’s ability to carry oxygen within the first five seconds of smoking, due to the binding of carbon monoxide to hemoglobin in red blood cells.
The Impact on the Body
Both vapes and cigarettes start their impact on the body within seconds of inhalation. Nicotine, found in both, quickly triggers signals in the brain that result in the release of hormones dopamine and serotonin, which induce sensations of euphoria, dizziness, or anxiety. However, the long-term effects of vaping are still not fully understood.
Vaping can trigger the release of toxic metals, such as arsenic, chromium, nickel, and lead, due to chemical reactions between the liquid and metal. These metals are associated with various negative health effects, including popcorn lung, which is inflammation in the lungs causing wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.
The progression of vaping and smoking unfolds in contrasting ways. While vaping chemicals pass through the lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing potential damage to blood vessels, traditional cigarettes lead to the immediate and prolonged negative effects of carbon monoxide.
The Timeframe: How the Effects Unfold
Within Five Seconds
Both vaping and smoking involve the passage of vapor or smoke through the upper respiratory tract and eventually reaching the alveoli, which are tiny sacs responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Cigarettes, in the first five seconds of smoking, impair the blood’s ability to carry oxygen due to the binding of carbon monoxide to hemoglobin in red blood cells. On the other hand, vaping triggers an increased heart rate and breathing rate, causing the body to compensate for the reduced oxygen-carrying capacity.
Within 30 Seconds
Both vaping and smoking have immediate effects on the heart. Nicotine, common to both, raises blood pressure and accelerates the heart rate. In the case of cigarettes, chemical components such as tar and smoke can irritate the nose and throat, leading to coughing and other respiratory symptoms.
Within Five Minutes
Within minutes, vaping and smoking can lead to the narrowing of arteries and constriction of blood vessels, resulting in higher blood pressure. Carbon monoxide levels start to decrease in the blood of cigarette smokers, while nicotine’s effect on the brain’s proteins induces the release of hormones and the corresponding rush of euphoria, dizziness, or anxiety.
After 20 Minutes
After approximately 20 minutes of vaping, individuals may experience increased heart rate, breathing frequency, temperature in the mouth, and lower blood oxygenation levels. While smoking affects the renewal of olfactory epithelium cells, diminishing the sense of smell.
After 30 Minutes
Both vaping and smoking can induce oxidative stress, resulting from an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants in the body. Vaping, especially when flavored, can evoke a tremendous inflammatory response in the lungs. Vaping can also lead to scarring of the lungs’ air sacs due to the inhalation of diacetyl, a chemical found in many e-cigarette flavors.
After an Hour
One hour of either vaping or smoking can cause the body to metabolize nicotine, leading to a decrease in concentration and subsequent cravings. Additionally, endothelial cell dysfunction can occur, resulting in blood vessels behaving abnormally and causing reduced circulation.
After a Day
Vaping can lead to impaired blood vessel function and lung inflammation. Alternatively, smokers may experience difficulty breathing due to the accumulation of mucus and the paralysis of the lungs’ natural filters, known as cilia.
After a Week
While long-term data on vaping is still limited, smoking may result in hearing loss and physical signs like teeth, gum, and lip discoloration. The blood vessels may also become stiffer, putting individuals at risk of coronary heart disease.
After a Month
A month of vaping can cause lung inflammation, with nanoparticles embedded in the lungs contributing to the inflammation and increased risk of infections. Traditional smoking can lead to lung function reduction and a higher probability of developing smoking-related diseases.
After Eight Months
Studies suggest that vaping, even in eight months of exposure at 20 hours per week, can lead to arterial stiffness and constriction. The risk of heart disease and increased blood pressure are evident in both vaping and smoking individuals.
Over the Years
The long-term impacts of vaping are still being investigated, whereas, with traditional smoking, the risk of lung cancer and emphysema greatly increases after 20 years of smoking. Smoking also accelerates aging, damages the skin, and increases the likelihood of coronary heart disease.
As the debate between cigarettes and vapes continues, it is crucial to stay informed of the potential risks associated with both. Individuals should consider all the available information and consult with healthcare professionals to make informed decisions about their smoking or vaping habits.
