What You Don’t Know Will Hurt You: Dangers of Liquid Nicotine

DangersOfLiquidNicotine

A “personal vaporizer” uses batteries to convert liquid nicotine into vapor, which is inhaled by the user. Although they are more expensive than e-cigarettes, vaporizers are often chosen over the latter because they are refillable, whereas their closed-cartridge counterparts are not. Despite the novelty of devices that are rumored to help wean people off of traditional cigarettes, there is a side to them that is both frightening and enlightening.

According to a story in the San Diego Union Tribune, “in California, toxic exposures [from e-cigarette devices and liquid nicotine] rose from 12 reported in 2011 to 243 in 2014.” Most of those who were affected by these exposures were children under the age of six. Needless to say, the use of liquid nicotine is cause for concern. The vapors produced by e-cigarettes do not contain tobacco, but new formulas for the nicotine are highly dangerous if not properly used. The nicotine retains its addictive quality, so there is still a risk of addiction to e-cigarettes and vaporizers. If a person develops an addiction and they don’t have any liquid nicotine on hand, they could turn to traditional cigarettes. According to triblive.com, Teenagers who used e-cigarettes were more likely to use conventional tobacco products than those that did not.

Pick Your Poison?

According to the FDA, consumers do not know exactly how much nicotine is being inhaled during use or if there are any benefits of using e-cigarettes and vaporizers. It is a classic situation of “pick your poison”. Over the last decade, liquid nicotine appears to be the more popular choice. Is it the consumers’ excitement over the 7,764 available flavors? Or is it the marketing strategies implemented by tobacco companies that have the ability to entice young adults that might have never considered using the product? Be it what it may, consumer have very little knowledge of its potential harm to ones health.

E-cigarettes are often marketed as “aids to quit smoking” or ‘alternatives to tobacco”, according to the World Health Organization. However, a report by the World Health Organization said that there wasn’t enough evidence to conclude that liquid nicotine can help smokers quit using. Despite serious health concerns and a number of toxic exposures, experimentation among adolescents increased twofold between 2008 and 2012. This is just one of the factors that led the development of the e-cigarette industry into a three billion dollar industry. Surprising as it may sound, the allure of a new-and-improved cigarette is too much for many to resist. Perhaps what we don’t know about these products is the most alarming thing about them.

Disclaimer


This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be a substitute for medical advice. We understand that everyone’s situation is unique, and this content is to provide an overall understanding of substance use disorders. These disorders are very complex, and this post does not take into account the unique circumstances for every individual. For specific questions about your health needs or that of a loved one, seek the help of a healthcare professional.