If you're trying
to quit smoking, switching to vaping might seem like a good idea. After all,
it's not the same thing as inhaling burned tobacco, right? That's true. But
vaping is not without health risks.
We're still
learning about the long-term effects of using vaping products—such as
e-cigarettes, JUUL devices and vape pens. But we do know that the aerosols from
these products could expose you to potentially harmful chemicals and particles,
including:
• Diacetyl, a
flavoring that has been linked to a serious lung disease called popcorn lung.
• Ultrafine
particles that may be inhaled deep into the lungs.
• Cancer-causing
chemicals.
• Heavy metals,
such as nickel, tin and lead.
In addition, just
like cigarettes, most vaping products contain highly addictive nicotine. So you
could end up getting hooked on vaping.
Since switching
to vaping could be risky to your health, you may want to use other strategies
to kick a tobacco habit.
Here are a few
ideas for quitting cigarettes or vaping:
• Pick a quit
date and add it to your calendar.
• Consider how
you want to quit. For instance, do you want to go cold turkey—stopping smoking
or vaping all at once? Or would it be easier to cut back, between now and your
quit date, on the number of cigarettes you smoke or how much you vape?
• Talk to your
primary care provider about medicines that may make quitting easier, such as
nicotine gums, patches and lozenges.
• Stock up on
healthy and lower-calorie smoking substitutes—like carrots, celery, nuts and
seeds, or sugarless gum—to munch on or chew when the urge to smoke or vape
hits.
• Think about
other things you can do to handle the need to smoke or vape. For example, do
you usually light up after a meal? Take a short walk, sip a soothing tea or
brush your teeth instead.
• If you're
having a tough time quitting, call a trusted friend who will support you. Or
call a tobacco quitline, such as 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).
Remind yourself
that cravings and urges will get better as time goes by. The world is full of
former smokers and vapers, and there is no reason why you can't be one of them.
Watson Clinic’s
primary care providers can help you formulate a successful plan to quit
smoking. Call 863-680-7190 to schedule an appointment.
Sources: American
Cancer Society; American Heart Association; U.S. Surgeon General