Image source: Wikimedia Commons
Introduction
Nowadays, adults and parents commonly tell the young to not vape to avoid the early development of lung cancer. But is this a mere myth or the truth?
Statistics
Smoking is especially popular among 25 and 44-year-old adults and has been commonly known to lead to lung cancer. The first electronic cigarette appeared in 2003 and is recognized as a slightly less dangerous alternative to smoking. Generally, fewer chemicals are found in e-cigarettes than the traditional cigarettes.
Smoking and any type of e-cigarette are the number one risk factors for lung cancer. In recent decades, usage of tobacco, especially among teens and high-school students, has risen an unprecedented amount. In a 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey, it was discovered that 16.4% of high-school students and adolescent teens were using a tobacco product at the time. But how exactly do e-cigarettes affect the human body?
E-Cigarettes
The use of electronic cigarettes among younger generations has been regarded as a form of epidemic, where the cost is the diminishing health of the world’s future leaders. They most commonly resemble everyday items, such as USB sticks or slender rods. There are three types: tanks and mods (which are not reusable), rechargeables, and traditional cigarettes for smoking. All forms are dangerous if used in excessive amounts, and can lead to serious health conditions, including lung cancer. The younger generations of today’s world are at an extraordinarily high risk for diseases concerning their lungs later in life.
The Link Between E-Cigarettes and Lung Cancer
All forms of electronic cigarettes carry diacetyl, a chemical that gives the vapor its addictive taste. Popcorn lung, a condition with no permanent treatment, is a side effect of inhaling excessive amounts of diacetyl. Inflammation can occur, which leads to swelling and damage in the lung’s small airway, therefore hindering the ability to effectively draw a full breath. Although this condition is a medical concern, it is not lung cancer.
Vaping is still relatively new, and not enough research has been conducted to fully draw connections between lung cancer and e-cigarettes, but studies have yielded results where vaping leads to an increased risk for lung cancer. However, it can be clearly established that e-cigarettes are not a safer alternative to tobacco and smoking devices, which have been shown to lead to lung cancer.
Conclusion
Although it is stated that vaping is not discovered to directly lead to lung cancer, it is still extremely discouraged. It is still extremely detrimental to a person’s health in the long run and can lead to breathing complications and a damaged quality of life.
By: Audrey Huynh
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