A vape is a device that heats up flavoured liquid to create a vapour, you then breathe in the vapour. They are an important ‘harm reduction’ tool to support quit attempts for smokers.
Vapes come in many different forms, with the most common being a disposable vape or a refillable pen/tank style vape.
Vape liquids usually contain various chemicals, they are not allowed to contain toxic chemicals by law, or carcinogens (cancer causing).
Legal (safety checked vapes) will contain:
Nicotine – a highly addictive substance that can lead to some people getting hooked on a vape.
Propylene Glycol – a common additive in food. It is used to prevent mould in products like foods, cosmetics, and medicines. It has low toxicity but can also be used to make things like antifreeze, paint solvent and artificial smoke in fog machines.
Vegetable Glycerine – used in cosmetics, such as face creams and as a product to mix oil and water-based ingredients.
Flavourings – commonly including fruit flavours (strawberry/blueberry) and dessert flavours (ice cream/apple crumble). To support smokers who are quitting there are also tobacco and menthol flavours.
Vapes are not completely risk free. But compared to tobacco products, they are clearly a less harmful choice. If you don’t smoke, don’t vape.
Illegal vapes have been found to contain substances such as Acetone (nail varnish remover) and metals (such as nickel and tin). Diacetyl is banned from being included in UK vapes that are legal, this chemical has been linked to a serious lung condition in the US known as ‘popcorn lung’.
We have seen a small but worrying increase in adverse reactions and medical emergencies, because some young people are vaping unknown substances (illicit vapes), or other substances are being added into liquids (such as THC or Spice).
Nicotine – how does it work?
Nicotine is a drug that acts like a ’messenger’ chemical in our nervous system and attaches to receptors in the brain that are important for controlling our motivation.
When nicotine attaches to these receptors, it causes the nerve cells to become more active, causing them to release dopamine (which acts like a chemical reward).
Nicotine levels will quickly fall throughout the day if they are not maintained, this can result in withdrawal symptoms and can also lead to a ‘stress cycle’ (this is where you feel that nicotine is relieving stress, when you are suffering withdrawals from not having nicotine and this is causing stress). Smokers can be provided with Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) to reduce withdrawal symptoms and support their quit attempt.
How can vaping make you feel?
Due to increased demand, there has been an increase in illicit (illegal) vapes being produced and sold in the UK. Illicit vapes have not gone through the same safety checks as legal vapes, so they are more likely to cause harm.
There are several things that can help you reduce how much you vape, or help you quit for good.
Talking to others
Sometimes you might not know how to respond to your friends. Here are some ideas;
Thanks, but I’m trying to cut down.
Sorry, I’ve just put a gum in!
I’ve just had a vape, so I don’t want one right now.
Many adult smokers use vapes to quit smoking. If you don’t smoke, don’t vape.
Vaping is less harmful than smoking because you don’t inhale the toxic tar and carbon monoxide found in tobacco smoke. But vapes are not harmless.
Long-term effects of vaping are, as yet, unknown.
Vapes and vaping products that contain nicotine are age-restricted. It is against the law to sell them to anyone under the age of 18. It is also illegal for adults to buy vapes for anyone under 18.
Vapes have an impact on the environment. Approximately 1.3 million disposable vapes are thrown away every week in the UK: enough to cover 22 football pitches.
Single-use vapes contain batteries and difficult to recycle plastics. These break down in landfills causing dangerous chemicals to pollute the soil and water.
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