As e-cigarettes grow in popularity, some smokers may still be on the fence about switching over to vaping. 180 Smoke Vape Store, a Canadian company founded by leading heart surgeon Dr. Gopal Bhatnagar, believes that while there’s still much to be learned about e-cigarettes through research, there are many misconceptions about vaping and electronic cigarettes.
Public health agencies, such as those in the U.K. and Wales, are embracing e-cigarettes after expert independent evidence review and many peer-reviewed scientific journals have concluded that e-cigarettes are significantly less harmful to health than tobacco [1], and have the potential to help smokers quit smoking.
Here are 180 Smoke’s most common misconceptions about vaping:
E-cigarettes are more harmful than tobacco cigarettes
E-cigarette users cut down on numerous harmful substances, as an e-cigarette does not rely on combustion of tobacco for nicotine delivery. An independent study conducted by researchers in Europe concluded that tobacco cigarettes are the most harmful nicotine delivery system. [2]
A British study published by Public Health England in August 2015 concluded that the current best estimate is that e-cigarettes are around 95% less harmful than smoking. This would be great news, but the same study concludes that nearly half of the British public (44.8%) don’t realize e-cigarettes are safer when compared to tobacco use.
Second-hand vaping is as harmful as second-hand smoking
A study conducted at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in New York found that second-hand vapor from e-cigarettes contains nicotine, but only in small trace amounts, and no other toxic tobacco-specific chemicals. [3] Nicotine is also present in many foods we commonly consume, such as tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplant, tea and cauliflower. Nicotine is comparable to caffeine in both its addictive qualities and relatively benign health effects. [4]
Nicotine causes cancer
While nicotine is addictive, much like caffeine and sugar, it is not carcinogenic. E-cigarettes contain pharmaceutical-grade nicotine – the same nicotine contained in FDA-approved NRT gums, patches and inhalers – and in lower concentrations. Additionally, in the 2014 annual report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers, nicotine accounted for an annualized 300 times fewer calls than that of accidental vitamin poisoning.
E-Cigarette batteries have a high risk of exploding
Fires or explosions caused by e-cigarettes are rare – 1 in 13 million – compared to much higher chance of 1 in 700,000 of being struck by lightning in the United States in any one year. Lithium-ion batteries used in e-cigarettes are also commonly used in daily consumer devices, such as cell phones and laptops. Statistically, these batteries are not a high risk for causing fire and explosions, which makes them a good choice for use as a portable battery.
Most e-cigarette-related incidents occur in cases where the device battery has either not been charged according to the manufacturer’s instructions, it was left in extremely hot conditions or a low-quality power source not approved by the manufacturer was used to recharge the battery. [5]
Electronic cigarettes can be great gifts. “Normally, about 55% of our new customers come from referrals or because they got a gift,” says Ashutosh Jha, a manager at 180 Smoke. “But recently that number has spiked, primarily because they got a gift from someone who had success, or an early present from a loved one who cares.”
For those looking to buy gifts for smokers, or considering the switch themselves, the 180 Smoke has created special all-inclusive bundles that are currently discounted up to 30% as well as discounted gift cards. All retail stores and the store’s online site provide free consultation with knowledgeable expert staff to help you or your loved one make the switch.
Gift bundles available 180Smoke.ca or six shops across the GTA:
- Centerpoint Mall – Yonge and Steeles
- Bramalea City Centre – 25 Peel Centre, Brampton
- 657 Yonge Street (at Bloor)
- 3391 Bloor West (at Islington)
- 696 Danforth (at Pape)
- 746 Warden, #2 (at St. Clair)
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/e-cigarettes-around-95-less-harmful-than-tobacco-estimates-landmark-review
[2] http://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/360220#SC5
[3] http://ntr.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2013/12/10/ntr.ntt203.short
[4] http://abouttesting.testcountry.com/2010/06/6-common-food-with-nicotine-content.html
[5] https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/electronic_cigarettes.pdf
Want to advertise with NOW? Click here.
