Should I be worried about vaping?

[pffft2017]

My asthma improved a hundred fold after kicking cigarettes for vaping. Now new cases of lung damage and a death has been reported in America for inhaling mostly oily substances such as THC and CBD found in cannabis, but some cases of nicotine use only. I've never touched weed ever and I wonder if this study has accounted for these patients being former smokers of tobacco and weed. Have there been any UK studies?

[Minushabens]

The simple answer I'd say is that as an alternative to smoking, no you shouldn't worry as you've reduced the harm being inflicted on your lungs (not to mention those nearby who had to passive smoke as a result).

But evidence does seem to be starting to show that it's not a 100% risk-free option either. Putting anything into your lungs that shouldn't really be there will always carry some risk, so if you can get yourself clear of vaping, without risking reverting to smoking, then personally I'd say that will help you.

[hypercat54 in reply to Minushabens]

Totally agree with you. x

[horseblister in reply to Minushabens]

I was in hospital with pneumonia in a bay of four beds and I had a bad asthma attack, another patient also had an asthma attack, the cause was another patient secretly vaping under the sheets, but she was caught out and transferred to another bay. I am affected with other people vaping in the streets and I have witnessed a car crash on the motorway because the occupants were vaping, we thought the car was on fire but it was only vapour.

[pffft2017 in reply to horseblister]

I'd never be that inconsiderate and yes the new batteries are far too powerful. They actually have vaping competitions in America. I only use medium powered ones that give off as much 'smoke' as a cigarette as you're right they can fill the car with fog. No accounting for the idiot element is there?

[HannahBenson]

So far there have been 4 deaths in the US attributed to vaping. Most were young people with no history of pulmonary problems. I am not a physician but I do have asthma and bronchiectasis and I think I would choose a nicotine patch over anything that I had to inhale directly into my lungs if I needed to have the nicotine. It can't be beneficial to you and your health. Hannah

[pffft2017 in reply to HannahBenson]

I have given up several times over the years and tried many other products, but vaping has been the only truly successful alternative. I realise it's 90% safer than smoking, and often think about that 10% risk, but I know if I'd continued smoking my lungs would be in a worse state than they are now. Nicotine is more addictive than heroin, the best thing is to never start in the first place.

[HannahBenson in reply to pffft2017]

I agree with that...I quit smoking 40 years ago...and for years I would keep one cigarette in a box on a shelf so I would not panic with no cigarettes in the house...it was really one day at a time and that extra cigarette stayed on the shelf for well over a year before I threw it away. I know how difficult it is to stop but it can be done. I did not know that I would have all of the pulmonary difficulties later in life...and I don't know if they have been made worse by smoking but I do know that some people smoke a lot and then die of something unrelated. but more likely...smoking can cause all sorts of problems, not just lung problems. Don't beat yourself up about it though...if it is too difficult to quit, then that is what it is. It is a habit that is really hard to break, mentally as well as the physical addition to nicotine. Good luck and stay in good health! Hannah

[pffft2017 in reply to HannahBenson]

Thanks for your good luck wishes and same to you. Sorry for the late response. Wow 40 years, well done! By now your lungs should be tar free. Yes it's all down to genetics re; lung cancer, some non-smokers get it, and some like my nan who smoked most of her life, lived to 92. These health scare stories in the media always bring out the hypochondriac in people but it wouldn't hurt to wean myself off vaping I suppose...eventually. Take care. Jim