TOP VAPING & E-CIGARETTE MYTHS DEBUNKED

We’ve decided to debunk the most popular myths & conspiracy theories about vaping & e-cigarettes, backed up by the NHS, Public Health England, Cancer Research etc

THE TRUTH ABOUT VAPING’S MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS

8 vaping myths separated from the facts

We all have at least one. That argumentative friend who thinks they know everything about everything. The one who scoffs at your e-cig and gives you dire warnings about “popcorn lung” or exploding vape pens as they cough up another lungful of tar from their “proper fags”. Well we’re here to rescue you from the doom-mongers and bust the most often quoted myths about vaping. So the next time your mate starts spouting off you can look them dead in the eye and proceed to school them into next week.

MYTH #1: ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES AREN’T REGULATED, AND GOD KNOWS WHAT’S IN THEM

TRUTH: The UK has some of the world’s strictest rules for e-cigarettes manufacture and sales. Your vaping kit must meet standards for quality and safety set by the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016. Even labelling and packaging must abide by these rules. Plus, manufacturers need to notify the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) at least 6 months before selling their products.

MYTH #2: E-CIGARETTES CAUSE “POPCORN LUNG”

TRUTH: Ah yes, the tabloids’ favourite headline. The name “popcorn lung” comes from cases of workers in US popcorn factories where symptoms were first seen. In vapers it was caused by some of the flavourings used to create a buttery flavour in e-liquids. The most recent cases of popcorn lung (all in the US) have been linked to the sale of illicit e-liquids that had been cut with the chemical diacetyl, which is banned in the UK. There have been no confirmed cases of popcorn lung linked to e-cigarettes in the UK.

MYTH #3: E-CIGARETTES CONTAIN NICOTINE, SO THEY MUST BE DANGEROUS

TRUTH: Many smokers and ex-smokers (and even non-smokers) think it’s nicotine that causes cancer. While nicotine is certainly addictive, it’s the long list of other nasty chemicals in cigarettes that are harmful to smokers, and those around them. According to the National Cancer Institute tobacco smoke has a mind-boggling 7,000 chemicals of which at least 250 are harmful. Hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide and ammonia are just three of the health-bashing substances smokers and those around them inhale. None of which are found in e-cigs or their vapours. Vapers get to choose how much nicotine they vape and can even use no nicotine at all.

MYTH #4: VAPING IS A PATHWAY TO SMOKING FOR TEENAGED NON-SMOKERS

TRUTH: Public Health England’s research shows while young people are experimenting with e-cigarettes, young smokers tend to be the ones who regularly use them. Smoking in young people is falling and there’s no evidence that vaping is normalising the tobacco habit.

MYTH #5: THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY IS SNEAKILY USING E-CIGARETTES TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO SMOKE

TRUTH: The number of e-cigarette users who once smoked is rising while the overall number of smokers is falling. More than half of the UK’s 2.7 million adult e-cigarette users have completely given up smoking. A further 770,000 have given up smoking and vaping. The UK is seeing a record low of smokers as more people are quitting the habit.

MYTH #6: YOU WON’T QUIT SMOKING WITH E-CIGARETTES

TRUTH: A major UK clinical trial in 2019 found a standard e-cigarette was twice as likely to help smokers quit when combined with behavioural therapy, compared to nicotine replacement therapy alone such as patches or gum. As a welcome bonus the e-cigarette group found problems with coughing and phlegm improved faster.

MYTH #7: E-CIGARETTES AREN’T SAFE IN PREGNANCY

TRUTH: The NHS says that although little research has been done, e-cigs likely to be less harmful to mum and baby than traditional cigarettes. While patches and gum are recommended, if you use e-cigarettes and find they help you to stay off cigarettes, they are much safer than using tobacco.

MYTH #8: E-CIGARETTES CAN CATCH FIRE

TRUTH: Any electrical device that’s mistreated will catch fire, even that mobile phone your mate is currently using to Google conspiracy theories. That doesn’t mean your beloved vape pen will go up in smoke too just because it’s electrical. As with all electrical devices, be safe and follow these recommendations: (1) buy it from a reputable retailer; (2) use the correct charger; (3) don’t leave it charging unattended or overnight; and (4) keep it out of direct sunlight.

For more information about e-cigarettes and how to use them, or for ideas for even more verbal smack-downs for your annoying friend, you can contact us any time, or chat with us live via the website.