Two references, one from the American Nurses Association on vaping and another newspaper article on vaping and sleep deficiency, came to me attention recently.

Both articles are saying that E-cigarettes and vapes were supposed to be a safer alternative for smokers. Rather than inhaling toxic byproducts of traditional tobacco cigarettes, smokers breathe in the aerosolized vapor of liquid nicotine. A possible 450 people from across the nation have been affected by a similar respiratory illness with severe shortness of breath, vomiting, fever, fatigue and sleep deficiency. Most of the patients are young (late teens, early 20s). The possible cause is the mixture of nicotine or THC with solvents that dissolve and deliver drugs, e.g. vitamin E oil so that inhaling oils is very dangerous along with another new product from an illegal manufacturer using either a new flavor (aroma) or new emulsifier. The CDC has issued an advisory about e-cigarettes.

While the long-term effects of e-cigarette use remain relatively unknown to date, researchers are studying the short-term effects. When the Oklahoma State University Behavior Change Lab surveyed 1,664 college students, they determined that sleep scores were poor across the board, but smokers and vapers fared worse so that vapers were reported more use of sleep medications. More research is ongoing in order to study the string of mysterious lung ailments and deaths doctors believe to be linked to e-cigarette use. The presumed safety of e-cigarettes is becoming less of a safe presumption. The best way to deal with this comparatively new habit is to kick it while there is time and the vaper is still alive.