Vaping- How Harmful Is It?

Satan has a sly way of luring our kids! Vaping first started out being a supplementary vice for many smokers and soon became a “cool thing” to do for teens. Vaping was used as an avenue for those with severe addiction or nicotine dependency to effectively manage their urges, and in some cases, even became a vehicle for cessation. Or, did it simply become another addiction? Is vaping really an effective alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes or is it a harmful, gateway drug? This enticing vice for whatever reason is building a playground for the devil!

I remember the feeling seeing my 34 year old son vaping after newly out of rehab for addiction recovery; I was mortified to see him doing this. I just knew he would relapse back into heroin and Xanax. It killed me knowing he was putting this junk into his lungs in addition to everything else he already put into his body. He seemed to smoke cigarettes before when he was destined for a relapse back into his heroin and Xanax addiction– he said, smoking “calmed his nerves” going through withdrawal or recovery.

Vaping was just another form of addiction in my book!

Not only did I feel vaping was an issue for him as a recovering addict but I felt it was a negative influence on his two teen children.

To solidify my beliefs, I found out my 14 year old granddaughter (my recovering son’s daughter) was vaping. Talk about a kick in the guts! I admit, I lost my cool! I couldn’t tolerate hearing this and facing another child I love going down the addiction path. My granddaughter had been dealing with depression, anxiety issues and cutting herself; her dad had gone through as a teen. She was prescribed anti-anxiety and depression medication which again was a reflection of my son in his teen years. So with that background, I just knew vaping put her right in line for having addiction issues down the road. This was the last path I wanted for my grandchild and especially with the addictive gene trait going on with her dad being a recovering addict.

I went to the Lord in prayer. He gave me the strength I needed and reminded me of this scripture:

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.–Ephesians 6: 11.

My spirit became inflamed …I shouted out at Satan to leave my family alone!….

God’s Word created a fire in me to find Truth in my concerns…

Surely others grandparents, parents and doctors felt this way about vaping ???

Researching for Truth…

It’s commonsense reasoning to me and probably you too, but I wanted to see how many others felt the same way about vaping being unhealthy and if they thought vaping was a gateway to drugs. So my search began…

Instantly, on the internet, I found some pretty frightening images of damaged lungs called “popcorn lungs” from vaping. I knew I was onto something very alarming.

Wow…After reading so much…My beliefs about vaping was proven…

Vaping seemed to be very unhealthy and I still believed it was also the devil’s way of being a gateway drug to street drugs…

I was reminded of another scripture:

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.–1 Peter 5:8

I continued to research…

I read one article where a 17 year old Canadian teen developed a dangerous vaping illness that doesn’t look like lung illnesses seen in patients across the U.S. Instead, it resembles the kind of lung damage workers at a microwave popcorn factory developed years ago from breathing in a buttery flavoring.

Doctors said the previously healthy 17-year-old had been vaping heavily for months and was using several products he purchased online through a Canadian retailer before falling ill. The products he vaped came with different flavors: “green apple,” “dew mountain” and “cotton candy.”

The boy’s family said he had been inhaling deeply when vaping, and had regularly added THC, the main marijuana ingredient that gives users a high, to his devices.

In another article…Las Vegas man says vaping gave him ‘popcorn lung,’ nearly killed him twice. Take a look at this video…

As I researched, I found more and more facts and info to back up my beliefs…

There are too many facts of harmfulness to be ignored…

The American Lung Association has linked popcorn lung to a chemical called diacetyl.

That same chemical has been found in certain kinds of e-cigarettes. Across the country, nearly 1,300 people have suffered lung injuries and respiratory illnesses linked to vaping, including four in Nevada. In total, 26 have died.

In a third article– Doctors Find New ‘Popcorn Lung’-Like Lung Damage Linked To Vaping.

I wondered…What is the attraction to something so harmful???

Satan sure is crafty– so we must expose the evil works!

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.–Esphesians 5:11

Well I found out how appealing the creation of Satan is with these companies to entice our kids and I’ll share that soon…

But for now, let’s talk more about surge in vaping…

The Vaping Epidemic…

As e-cigarettes morphed into more sophisticated devices their appeal to youth was magnetic. Non-smoking youth are attracted to the sleek design and cartridge flavors. They don’t realize that a Gummi Bear cartridge can deliver as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes. Use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices has reached alarming numbers among our youth. In 2018, the U.S. Surgeon General declared that e-cigarettes had reached epidemic proportions among youth, sparked by a 78% increase of use among high school students over a one year time period. Couple this with the fact that the vaping devices can also deliver marijuana without the tell-tale odor. Of high school students using these devices, 1/3 reported on they had vaped marijuana.

As of Jan. 21, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 60 deaths in patients with e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury. 2,711 cases of hospitalized e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury or deaths.

I feel vaping is the perfect storm for troubled teen years…We all know kids get bored and peer pressure is great. My fear is teens will start out experimenting with some cute, scented and flavored vape products and eventually lead to other addictions.

Lord forbid, then kids could progress from vaping and smoking marijuana into full blown drug addiction.

We’ll talk about that in another blog…

Let’s check out some vaping products and see why vaping is so popular with teens and young adults…

Vaping Trends of 2021

Nicotine salt e-liquids were a big trend from 2020 that will continue to pick up momentum. Available since 2017 — mainly in pod-like devices — nicotine salts have a smooth taste and nicotine hit that closely resembles combustible cigarettes. They’re extremely popular with new vapers.

This product is made by combining benzoic acid with the naturally occurring salts found in tobacco leaf, nicotine salts allow users to vape higher nicotine concentrations, but without compromising on taste.

Pod Devices

Pod kits will become even more popular. A common refrain among many vapers is that mod devices are overly complicated and expensive. Access to the promised land of smooth hits, intense flavors and bigger vapor clouds.

Disposable Vape Pens​

Disposable vape bars are attractive, affordable and small, ready to go. These disposable pens are a low-commitment option for current smokers to try out vaping. These pens pack an incredible punch without the need for high wattage.

Talk about enticement!

Additionally, they are also proving popular with long term vapers when socializing. Instead of losing or breaking an expensive device on a night out at the pub, these pens are a cheap, ultra-portable and worry-free alternative.

Companies know how to attract our kids…

Companies Package to Entice…

They sell the exciting, fun experience and the “cool look!” It’s all about packaging to the youthful audience.

These companies seem to work with Satan they know how to prey on our kids. Teens want to look their coolest and live their fantasy lives. Satan gets them hooked into wanting more…

Teens can buy vapes in store or on line.

But I’m sure, they’re normally afraid the package will come to their doorstep and their parent gets it first …that’s an obstacle they prefer to avoid. So most shop in stores.

Keep in mind, all these products are available for sale online where anyone can find a way to purchase them, no matter their age. I wondered how many parents know their kids are doing this?

With all of this nicotine and chemicals what about some of the other health risks?

Does Vaping Cause Cancer?

Are you asking yourself this same question “Does vaping cause oral cancer? Read more about this question. But, here’s the bottom line: This year, almost 50,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer, many of whom will die from it. The best way to protect yourself from developing cancer of the mouth is to avoid the use of both traditional and e-Cigarettes, both of which contain several cancer causing chemicals.

It’s believed that ex-smokers who took up vaping to rid themselves of cigarettes are going to return to smoking, the leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States with 480,000 deaths in the last year. They will still need their nicotine fix.

Remember, some vape products contain nicotine so how does this help stop cigarette smoking?

  So vaping is not the end all for nicotine addiction that causes cancer.

More Research on Vaping…

I read this article on Vaping causing severe illness in otherwise healthy young adults and teenagers. It says it causes a life-threatening, life-shortening and sometimes deadly lung toxicity and injury — with apparently irreversible damage that cannot be cured. I recommend reading this article…Vaping: As an imaging scientist I fear the deadly impact on people’s lungs.

Did you know…One quarter of high school students are vaping?

E-cigarettes have been promoted as a safe, cool alternative to cigarettes. Not surprisingly, this marketing has worked well in children and teens.

From what I read, you can buy vape products with and without nicotine. But even without the nicotine many of the chemicals in e-liquids may have toxic effects on the body.

No matter how these companies spin vaping…it is not safe!

Fun- and fad-flavored e-cigarettes that are directly promoted to children should be banned. It’s like cigarettes all over again. You can see how this young girl feels about vaping after being affected by the consequences of vaping.

Vaping among teens can increase the risk of smoking cigarettes in the future, and vaping marketers often downplay the dangers and risks that it can cause teens. Just because vapes don’t contain “tobacco”, doesn’t mean that they’re safe. #NIDAteens

Check These Facts…

🤢Warning! This will make you sick…

How many puffs of a vape do you think is equal to a cigarette? Each drop of e-liquid will last for approximately 7 puffs, so 2 drops is roughly equal to 1 cigarette (14 puffs). There are approximately 20 drops per ml of e-liquid.

E-cigarette users get even more nicotine than they would from a tobacco product — you can buy extra-strength cartridges, which have a higher concentration of nicotine.

So you can see why these products are addicting. These companies know what they are doing to attract and hook kids.

But after awhile that novelty wears off and kids are on to the next experiment…

Experts reveal that teens using e-cigarettes are at higher risk of shifting to ordinary cigarettes within a year.

So…it’s very apparent from my research that teens vaping vape products can be very harmful and can lead to cigarettes or other substances.

It is believed that ex-smokers who took up vaping to rid themselves of cigarettes are going to return to smoking, the leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States with 480,000 deaths in the last year. They will still need their nicotine fix.  So vaping is not the end all for nicotine addiction.

My Conclusion…

Vaping is very dangerous to health and can lead to addiction troubles down the road.

Remember vape juice contains nicotine, which is highly addictive.

Vaping is not cool!

It’s never too early to seek early treatment from a professional or a pastor.

Vaping can be a potential gateway to other drugs, but Residential Therapy or rehab programs can correct your child’s behavior for better overall and future health. 

Please don’t let you child get very sick or go down this addiction path with vaping and take a chance on progressing to drugs. It can happen!

John 10:10–The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Take action today to protect your children!

Please do your own research…and ask yourself this question…

Could there be anything good for my child to come out of vaping? Do you feel these are a gateway to street drugs like I do? Please let me know your thoughts.