Module Seven: Assignment 2 -- Public Piece with Analysis

Liconte 2

Lisa Liconte

Professor Marsh

English 111, Section 2905

2 December 2020

Vaping Versus Cigarette Smoking: The Healthier Alternative

Vaping is argumentatively healthier than cigarette smoking because it reduces health risks, nicotine levels are quite often controlled, and may help cigarette smokers quit. People from many different backgrounds use tobacco products. However, the health risks associated specifically with vaping and smoking remain controversial to this day. “Innovation in the e-vapor category is likely not only to further minimize residual health risks, but also to maximize health benefits” (Campagna, Amaradio, Sands, & Polosa, 2016). Vapers could choose from a variety of nicotine levels, no nicotine, or flavor liquids for electronic cigarettes. Consumers who are striving to quit smoking cigarettes turn to vaping to assist in the process.

Cigarette smoking can cause many health risks and is an addiction that many can’t circumvent. Health risks such as respiratory infections and pneumonia stem from cigarette smoking. “Smoking-related diseases are pathophysiologically attributed to oxidative stress, activation of inflammatory pathways and the toxic effect of more than 4000 chemicals and carcinogens present in tobacco smoke [Environmental Protection Agency, 1992]” (Farsalinos & Polosa, 2014). However, vaping comes with its own set of risks. Health risks such as pneumonia, seizures, and hypotension have emerged from electronic cigarette use. Public health risks are also a concern with electronic cigarette use.

Health risks associated with cigarette smoking such as pneumonia, respiratory infections, and others can be reduced by using electronic cigarettes. “Also, given that the propylene glycol in EC aerosols is a potent bactericidal agent, switching from smoking to regular vaping is likely to produce additional lung health benefits” (Campagna, Amaradio, Sands, & Polosa, 2016). Physicians are recommending electronic cigarettes as a healthier alternative to their patients who are known to smoke cigarettes. The authors claim that electronic cigarette traits are contrary to those of cigarette smoke physically and chemically because electronic cigarettes require liquid droplets and have very few toxic properties (Campagna et al.).

Overdoses and intoxication can occur from cigarette smoking as well. Nicotine in cigarettes have an abundance of chemicals along with other addictive properties that can have long-term effects on the consumer. “Nicotine overdose or intoxication is unlikely to occur with vaping, since the amount consumed [Farsalinos et al. 2013c] and absorbed [Nides et al. 2014; Dawkins and Corcoran, 2013] is quite low” (Farsalinos & Polosa, 2014). These findings have proven that electronic cigarettes are the healthier alternative to cigarette smoking and can overturn those health risks and concerns.

Vapers having the option to choose nicotine levels and flavored liquids has played a major role in cigarette smokers quitting and given cigarette smokers an alternative oral fixation. “Consumers (commonly called ‘vapers’) may choose from several nicotine strengths, including non-nicotine liquids, and a countless list of flavors; this assortment is a characteristic feature that distinguishes ECs from any other THR products” (Farsalinos & Polosa, 2014). For those who strive to quit smoking, these different options can assist in progressively weaning the smoker off the nicotine until they no longer desire it. There are other alternatives physicians prescribe to help cigarette smokers quit, such as, nicotine gum and nicotine patches. However, electronic cigarettes are the most recommended today as it assists in quitting but also gives the same sensation of smoking a real cigarette.

As mentioned by Farsalinos and Polosa (2014), vaping is distinctive apart from nicotine replacement therapies and other methods used to quit smoking, due to the similarity it has with smoking a cigarette. The consumer must move the vape to their mouth, inhale, and release the smoke just as one would do smoking a cigarette. The electronic cigarette also replicates the sensory stimulation of a cigarette. “This explains why these products can be effective in reducing consumption of tobacco smoking [Bullen et al. 2013; Caponnetto et al. 2013b; Polosa et al. 2011] and are efficient as long-term substitutes of conventional cigarettes [Farsalinos et al. 2013b]” (Farsalinos & Polosa, 2014).

Cigarette smoking and vaping both have major and similar health risks and chemical usage that can have long-term effects on the consumers. If both methods have the same long-term effects, why switch to the “healthier” alternative? Health risks both methods of smoking have in common are pneumonia, seizures, and hypotension. The authors assert that other health concerns associated with vaping are the insufficiency of federal regulations that guarantee uncontaminated and safe vape liquids, unquantified strengths of nicotine, and other unknown chemicals consumed when using (Phillips 396). In order to ensure the safety of consumers and the integrity of distributors, controls and measures need to be put in place. Until these issues are resolved, both methods of smoking remain equally as harmful.

As previously mentioned, both electronic cigarettes and cigarette smoking both result in inhaling toxic chemicals. Vapes contain many different factors that can release toxic chemicals into the consumers lungs. In order for the aerosol liquid to become an inhalant, electronic cigarettes must have a heating coil. This heating coil releases trace metals and possibly other chemical materials. The vaping liquids also contain many different unknown chemicals. Distributors are not being enforced to sell safe products. Therefore, at times, sell homemade liquids or liquids with unknown substances and material. Nicotine itself is the most harmful chemical within both electronic cigarettes and traditional cigarettes. Vapers can control their nicotine levels and voltage on their electronic cigarettes which at times can make smoking these products more harmful than smoking a traditional cigarette. “In conclusion, E-cig exposure results in immunomodulatory effects that are similar to those observed after exposure to cigarette smoke” (Sussan et al.).

“In conclusion, smokers who quit by switching to regular ECs use can reduce risk and reverse harm from tobacco smoking” (Campagna et al.). Many physicians, scientists, and scholars have determined that electronic cigarettes are a healthier alternative to cigarette smoking. Vaping has lowered health risks, assisted cigarette smokers to quit, and gave consumers a smoking method with the same rituals as traditional smoking. Vapes are highly recommended by physicians in many occasions in place of other tobacco harm reduction products. While many believe that vaping is the “healthier” alternative, cigarette smokers believe that both methods of smoking are equally harmful. Both methods contain nicotine, vaping liquids contain many unknown chemicals, and have the same health risks. While vapers may take longer to see the long-term effects of smoking, they are harming their bodies just as bad. It has been proven that there is currently no restrictions on the vaping liquids distributed in the market and many are made with unknown chemicals as they are homemade. This topic remains very controversial in the sense that research is going to continue to show the benefits and disadvantages of both smoking methods. Based on research and facts gathered, electronic cigarettes remain as the healthier alternative.

Works Cited

Campagna, Davide, et al. "Respiratory infections and pneumonia: potential benefits of switching from smoking to vaping." Pneumonia 8.1 (2016): 4.

Farsalinos, Konstantinos E, and Riccardo Polosa. “Safety evaluation and risk assessment of electronic cigarettes as tobacco cigarette substitutes: a systematic review.” Therapeutic advances in drug safety vol. 5,2 (2014): 67-86. doi:10.1177/2042098614524430

Phillips, Jennan A. "Electronic Cigarettes: Health Risks and Workplace Policy." Workplace Health & Safety 62.9 (2014): 396. ProQuest. Web. 3 Dec. 2020.

Polosa, Riccardo, et al. "Effectiveness and Tolerability of Electronic Cigarette in Real-Life: A 24-Month Prospective Observational Study." Internal and Emergency Medicine, vol. 9, no. 5, 2013;2014;, pp. 537-546.

Sussan, Thomas E., et al. "Exposure to Electronic Cigarettes Impairs Pulmonary Anti-Bacterial and Anti-Viral Defenses in a Mouse Model." PLoS One 10.2 (2015)ProQuest. Web. 2 Dec. 2020.