Vaping devices draw people in with bright colours as a candy shop and as many flavours as an ice cream parlour — a far cry from traditional cigarettes and their impossible-to-miss warning labels, which will soon be on the cigarettes themselves.
But as vaping grows in popularity, it’s hard to ignore the long list of health risks including nicotine addiction and lung disease.
Vaping is the act of inhaling an aerosol produced by vape mods, vapourizers, e-cigarettes or vape pens. Vaping products can contain liquid nicotine or cannabis, as well as flavouring and chemicals, and are typically battery powered.
The habit is growing in popularity among young Canadians. In 2021, Statistics Canada found nearly half (48%) of adults aged 20 to 24 and nearly three in 10 youth aged 15 to 19 reported having ever tried vaping at some point in their life. Of those who do vape, 55% say they vape every day.
Many people opt for vaping over smoking cigarettes because they believe vaping is healthier and safer. While vaping products are relatively new and experts continue to study health effects, early research shows the habit can still harm users.
We asked Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network (PCN) pharmacist Jessica Tran to provide insight into some dangers of vaping, and these are the top three:
Quitting any addictive substance is difficult. Fortunately, Calgary Foothills PCN can help you reach your health goals.
PCN clinical pharmacists offer services and support to help individuals quit vaping, including vaping/smoking cessation support. When needed, pharmacists can also point patients to other medical professionals within the PCN to support their journey to quit.
“I’ll sit down with a patient to understand their lifestyle and triggers, and the reasons behind why they may be smoking or vaping. That behavioural piece is important – often, there are a lot of other pieces to tackle when someone is ready to quit,” says Tran.
“If a patient is struggling or using vaping for stress relief, I might refer them to a health management nurse or behavioural health consultant to ensure we’re addressing any underlying health issues.”
Are you ready to quit? Find out how to connect with a clinical pharmacist.