Does Vaping Cause Cancer?

This question is relevant under any circumstances. However, it’s relevance during the global COVID-19 pandemic has risen exponentially. 

Why? 

COVID-19: Setting the scene

Succinctly stated, the 2020 global pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has irrevocably changed the world as we know it. Not only will things never return to pre-COVID-19, no one knows what the future holds. 

SARS-CoV-2 was first noticed in Wuhan, China, during the last days of 2019. In a very short space of time, it rampaged its way throughout the world’s population, from China to New Zealand, Australia, and other Asian countries. It then spread to the USA, Canada, the Middle East, and Europe, starting in Italy and moving to Spain, France, and the UK as well as to the rest of Europe. Interestingly enough, the third and last leg of its rampage across the globe included South America, the African content, and countries like India and Pakistan.

Note: The SARS-CoV-2 virus is extremely contagious and spreads like wildfire between individual people via droplet and aerosol transmission. Currently, the only way to prevent its spread is for governments to enforce social distancing and social isolation measures. The theory of this is simple. People must stay away from each other or risk contracting the virus. 

The consequences of being forced to isolate from other people for long periods of time include an increase in mental health issues like depression, suicide, and anxiety. This scenario is untenable for many people; therefore, they find coping healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms. Harmful coping mechanisms include an increase in their alcohol intake or the number of cigarettes they smoke a day. 

Smoking tobacco is dangerous to human health. One of its side effects is that it reduces lung function. And an inability to breathe correctly can result in severe COVID-19 symptoms because one of the features of this disease is that it attacks the lungs, making it significantly challenging to absorb enough air oxygen to function.

Therefore, the question that begs is what are the alternatives to smoking?

The straightforward answer to this question is vaping or using e-cigarettes. Public Health England published the results of an independent review which concluded that vaping is 95% safer, or less harmful, than smoking. 

This discussion has now come full circle to this article’s title and original question. 

Does vaping cause cancer? 

In order to answer this question, let’s start by considering the vaping pen’s (or e-cigarette’s) structure and function. 

An e-cigarette or vaping pen such as the V2 Cigs UK is simply an electronic device that includes a mouthpiece, a battery that turns the device on, a heating element, and an e-liquid cartridge. The battery also powers the heating element that heats the liquid in the cartridge, resulting in a vapor inhaled via the mouthpiece.

E-cigarette cartridges do not contain tobacco; thus, vaping does not create tar when the e-liquid is heated. However, they do contain nicotine, the addictive element found in tobacco. Tar is a known cancer-causing agent. Thus, it is reasonable to assume that, because vaping does not generate tar, it does not have the same cancer-causing properties and risks that smoking tobacco does. 

Electronic cigarettes have been on the market for circa 15 years, and there is still not enough evidence to conclude that vaping causes cancer. As described above, via Public Health England, the UK government has indicated through an independent study that vaping is 95% safer than smoking. There are also NPO who concur with this evaluation of vaping versus smoking.

The benefits of vaping nicotine: A case study

Let’s consider the following scenario as a means of discussing the merits of vaping nicotine, especially in a global pandemic. 

Let’s assume that you are a moderate smoker, and you must cut down on the number of cigarettes smoked a day, with the ultimate aim of quitting. The caveat here, as described above, is the COVID-19 pandemic with its increased stress and anxiety levels. Thus, you don’t feel as though you are ready to quit smoking. 

What are your alternatives? 

Simply stated, move across to a vaping pen and buy nicotine e-based liquids. There are loads of vapes for sale if you take a look on websites like Grey Haze, so do some research into the different products available. 

There are many differences between a vaping pen and a tobacco cigarette. One of the most significant differences between these two mechanisms is that, while both contain nicotine, the e-cigarette does not create tar as a by-product.

Nicotine is an addictive substance. There is no denying that. Nonetheless, harvard.health.edu notes in an article published on its website that nicotine might have therapeutic potential. 

This article rightly notes that nicotine is reviled because of its association with smoking and addiction. However, epidemiological studies are starting to show that nicotine has a “wide range of effects on the brain, which may include some healing properties.” 

For instance, studies conducted in the 1980s demonstrated that nicotine users had lower rates of developing diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. It is also worth noting that nicotine use is far higher in people with mental health conditions like schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety disorders than individuals without these disorders. 

Why? 

It is believed that sufferers from depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety self-medicate with nicotine-based products because it helps clear their minds and increases their cognitive function. 

Therefore, if we return to our case study, it makes sense to conclude that nicotine can alleviate stress and anxiety levels in individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic without the inhaling the carcinogens found in tobacco. 

Finally, it is crucial to note that there are two caveats to vaping nicotine-based products. 

1. The reason why nicotine-based medication is not available 

This statement seems to be a strange caveat. Self-medication is not always a good thing to do. The article published on harvard.health.edu clearly states that there are several reasons why there is no nicotine-based medicine on the market. And one of the most important reasons is that there isn’t much difference between a helpful dose and a toxic dose. 

Thus, if you find yourself needing to increase the number of times you vape in an hour to reduce depression, panic, and anxiety, it might be a good idea to speak to your primary healthcare professional.

2. Vaping using black market products can be dangerous 
Black market e-liquids such as THC-based liquids can cause serious injury, even death. Up to 60 patients have died from lung injuries caused by the vaping of these e-liquids. They contain a chemical called Vitamin E acetate, which is used to thicken the liquid. Therefore, it is critical to only buy your vaping equipment and e-liquids from a reputable dealer and not on the black market.