Vaping. What was once known as the so called “healthier”
alternative to smoking cigarettes has now become an epidemic. In recent days, it has been the topic of
discussion as a result of the numerous lung disease cases that have been linked
to vaping. Doctors have yet to figure out what pathogens in vape devices are
responsible for these diseases, but there is definitely something lethal
present. The puzzling part about these cases is the fact that vaping devices
were initially promoted as healthy and safe. Imagine thinking that you are
taking a step in the right direction by switching to a vaping device rather
than smoking cigarettes only to realize that the both of them are equally as
dangerous… how unfortunate. Vaping is now a widespread epidemic that is
extremely dangerous, disease ridden, and misleading.
The history of vaping and
electronic cigarettes dates all the way back to the 1930s. Joseph Robinson is
responsible for the first ever documented reference of an electronic cigarette,
though, it was never commercialized (“Historical
Timeline of Electronic Cigarettes” 1). In the 1960s, Hebert A. Gilbert
created the first vaping device similar to the modernized ones we have now.
Gilbert created prototypes for vaping, but contrary to devices now, his prototypes
did not contain nicotine. Similar to Robinson, Gilbert also failed to
commercialize his prototypes. The first commercialized variation of electronic
cigarette was created by Phil Ray along with the help of his personal
physician, Norman Jacobson (Historical Timeline of Electronic Cigarettes” 1).
This variation of the e-cigarette was not actually electronic, but rather
relied on the evaporation of the nicotine. For this reason, the word “vape”
came into play when describing these new electronic cigarettes. By the 1990s,
though devices still were not exactly similar to modern vaping devices, more
and more of these e-cigarettes moved toward commercialization. In the early
2000s, each year, vaping devices got closer and closer to our present day, modernized
e-cigarette devices. In the earlier years of vaping history, vaping had not yet
become an epidemic. Recently, though, the use of vaping has increased as well
as the number of vaping induced lung disease (“Outbreak
of Lung Injury Associated with E-Cigarette Use, or Vaping” 1). The epidemic
happened very quickly hence the reason for the sudden awareness of the dangers
of vaping. In school, in grades as young as middle school, you can find fliers
around the hallways that read “Do Not Vape!” When you are seeing signs about
vaping in schools, it is apparent that there is a problem or in this case, an
epidemic. In conclusion, vaping was a new and emerging invention until recently
when it became an epidemic.
The social effects that vaping
has on society are really prevalent amongst the youth. Patients range from the
ages of 13-75 years old and 79% of patients are under 18 years old (Christiani, 1). In high school, many of my peers
were expelled from school because they were caught vaping in the restroom stalls!
It happened so often that it eventually got to the point where students were
given awards for catching their peers vaping. It seems like vaping (before this
epidemic) was normalized for kids and that is sad. My peers would always speak
about the abundance of flavors that a specific vaping device called “JUUL” had
available. JUUL flavors include: Pineapple, mint, watermelon, strawberry milk,
and many other flavors that children may be attracted to. Vaping companies such
as JUUL intentionally use the flavors to attract young people because we are
easily influenced in many aspects.
Vaping is extremely dangerous
and presents great health risks, but why exactly is that? Unfortunately, the
answer to this question is unknown; In fact, doctors are still working to
answer this question. Considering the most recent vaping induced lung disease
outbreak, it does not take much to realize that something is very wrong with
vaping devices. Despite not knowing what the exact causes of these lung
diseases are, doctors have performed numerous studies to contribute to a
possible cause. Ninety eight percent of vaping patients have respiratory
symptoms such as: dyspnea in 87%, chest pain in 55%, cough in 83%, and
hemoptysis in 11% (Christiani 1). Statistics
like this can be extremely helpful in finding the causes of these illnesses.
Based on this study alone, we can all conclude that vaping does affect one’s
breathing. Another vital statistic found in the various studies of this
epidemic is as follows: eighty one percent of patients had gastrointestinal
symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. According to Layden 2019, ninety four
percent of patients reported the use of vaping within a week of symptom onset.
The symptoms mentioned in these 2 studies were amongst the most common presenting
symptoms of these patients whom all vaped within days of these symptoms. These
studies further validate the fact that these lung illnesses are indeed caused
by vaping: “Forty-nine states, the District
of Columbia, and one U.S. territory have reported 1,299 cases of lung injury
associated with the use of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette), or vaping,
products,” (“Update: Interim Guidance for Health Care Providers Evaluating and
Caring for Patients with Suspected E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Products Use
Associated Lung Injury- United States, October 2019| MMWR” 1). This epidemic outbreak of vaping- induced
lung disease has recently been given a name, “EVALI” (“Update:
Interim Guidance for Health Care Providers Evaluating and Caring for Patients
with Suspected E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use Associated Lung Injury-
United States, October 2019|MMWR” 1). Health care providers diagnose
EVALI based on symptoms and the history of the patient specifically their
vaping history, since patients experience relatively the same symptoms. It has
actually been reported that most patients diagnosed with EVALI have reported
using THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) containing vaping products (“Outbreak of Lung Injury Associated with E-Cigarette Use,
or Vaping” 1). This means that vaping devices that contain THC are most
likely the causes of these lung illnesses, however, there is no certain
evidence of this. According to CDC, health care providers recommend refraining
from the use of all vaping products as they all seem to cause some type of
damage to the lungs (Shemerling 1).
Vaping is terribly misleading.
For many years, vaping has been portrayed as a healthier alternative to
cigarette smoking. Vaping companies insist that their products can help people
to stop smoking, but there is no real evidence to this. In fact, according to
heart.org, research shows that users are more likely to smoke cigarettes and
vape simultaneously also called dual use. Despite beliefs, there is more
evidence to prove that vaping is just as dangerous as cigarette smoking. For
example, the vast majority of vaping devices contain nicotine which is
extremely addictive and cause damage to developing brains of teens, young
children, and fetuses. Vaping devices are disease ridden, so it is quite
unfortunate that vaping is generally considered safe. Vaping devices contain a
plethora of harmful chemicals and pathogens that cause lung related illnesses;
most of these harmful pathogens and chemicals are unknown (“Is Vaping Better Than Smoking?” 1).
As
of today, there are many possible solutions to end this deadly vaping epidemic.
With the growing number of research being done on these vaping induced lung
disease cases, we may be getting closer to a solution! Honestly, the best
solution would be to just cut the use of vaping as a whole; realistically,
though, these solutions are a little more intricate.
One
possible solution to this epidemic would be to cut out the chemical in which is
most likely the cause of these lung illnesses. Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC has been a present chemical in most of the vaping
devices that were used by EVALI patients (“Outbreak
of Lung Injury Associated with E-Cigarette Use, or Vaping” 1). For that
reason, many doctors and researchers believe THC may be a possible cause for
these lung illnesses, though they are not certain. Fortunately, there are many
other assortments of vaping devices that do not contain THC traces. Even though
I want to believe that this solution will work, it most likely will not. There
are plenty of other vaping devices out there that may not contain THC, but
still brings about illness such as the JUUL
(Shmerling 1).
Another possible solution to
this epidemic would be to simply spread more awareness. The more people are
aware of the negative effects that vaping has on the body, the more people will
stop using it. In recent days, the vaping epidemic has been widely talked about
on outlets such as: news channels, commercials, and articles just to name a few
(“Is Vaping Better Than Smoking?” 1). Evidently, this vaping epidemic has been
widely publicised, but unfortunately not enough to put a stop to this issue!
Camus
was a very intricate thinker and thought in ways many people would not
understand. He was a philosopher who had views that lead to the well known
philosophy, absurdity (Itani 1). Now, some people may argue that vaping induced
lung disease or EVALI is not absurd, but in many ways it is. Absurdity is
defined as something that is essentially meaningless or just overall ridiculous
(Maguire 1). Specifically, what is truly absurd about vaping is that their
portrayed in such a positive light. Initially, vaping was supposed to be a
healthier alternative to smoking cigarettes as cigarettes were known to be
disease ridden and unhealthy. The real question now is, what is the difference
between cigarettes and vaping devices? They are both proven to be equally as
dangerous (“Outbreak of Lung Injury
Associated with E-Cigarette Use, or Vaping”). Camus would agree that vaping is
absurd as he already believed that nothing in life served true meaning (Maguire
1). Camus’s approach to absurdity was a bit dark, but it does serve a true
purpose and surely relates to vaping. People need to hold on to the truth and
realize that vaping literally serves no purpose. Vaping is absurd… meaningless
and ridiculous.
Vaping. What was once considered a
healthier alternative to smoking has now become an epidemic. With the amount of
vaping related cases, it is obvious that vaping has become an epidemic and
needs to be taken seriously. Though, doctors are still not aware of what exact
chemicals and pathogens are present in these devices that are causing these
illnesses. It is apparent that these unknown pathogens are causing these lung
diseases. As many health providers have said, it is best to not use vaping
devices as they are evidently very dangerous (“Outbreak
of Lung Injury Associated with E-Cigarette Use, or Vaping.”1). It is
very much possible for this epidemic to end, but it starts by getting educated
on the true effects of it. People still do not seem to understand the effects
that vaping has on the body, but a little bit of research can go a long way.
Vaping is not at all worth it and hopefully people will realize it before this
epidemic becomes even more widespread!
Works
Cited
Christiani, D.C., et al. “Imaging of Vaping-Associated
Lung Disease: NEJM.” New England Journal
of Medicine, 6 Sept. 2019, https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc1911995.
Farkas, Josh. “Vaping Associated Pulmonary Injury
(VAPI).” EMCrit Project, 19 Aug.
2019, https://emcrit.org/ibcc/vaping-associated-pulmonary-injury/.
Maguire, Laura. “Camus and
Absurdity.” Philosophy Talk, 27 Feb. 2015,
https://www.philosophytalk.org/blog/camus-and-absurdity.
Shmerling, Robert H. “Can Vaping Damage Your Lungs? What
We Do (and Don't) Know.” Harvard Health
Blog, 15 Oct. 2019,
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/can-vaping-damage-your-lungs-what-we-do-and-dont-know-2019090417734.
“For the Public: What You Need to Know.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease/need-to-know/index.html.
“Historical Timeline of Electronic Cigarettes.” CASAA, 18 Oct. 2018,
http://www.casaa.org/historical-timeline-of-electronic-cigarettes/.
“Is Vaping Better Than Smoking?” Www.heart.org,
https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking-tobacco/is-vaping-safer-than-smoking.
“Outbreak of Lung
Injury Associated with E-Cigarette Use, or Vaping.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, 15 Oct. 2019,
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html.
“Update: Interim Guidance for Health Care Providers
Evaluating and Caring for Patients with Suspected E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Product
Use Associated Lung Injury - United States, October 2019 | MMWR.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 11 Oct. 2019, https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6841e3.htm.
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