Since nicotine is such an addictive drug, smoking is one of the hardest addictions to stop. People who smoke have been attempting to quit the habit for decades with various methods available to them. Among these, e-cigarettes have been one of the most popular alternatives to cigarettes for people trying to give up smoking. Despite its popularity, there is still much disagreement on the long-term safety and effects of e-cigarettes.
While some people may find that using e-cigarettes helps them cut back on their nicotine intake, many studies in teh recent years have not found it very useful.
According to a report from the American Lung Association (ALA), despite the promises made by several e-cigarette companies, switching to vaping is not the same as quitting smoking. E-cigarettes are still considered tobacco products and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any e-cigarette as a method for quitting smoking. It also emphasises that the FDA needs to address the misleading health claims made by the e-cigarette industry, which can confuse people who are trying to quit.
As per ALA, the FDA has not identified any e-cigarette as safe or effective for helping smokers quit.
In reality, e-cigarettes are also tobacco products. E-cigarettes reportedly release harmful chemicals such as acetaldehyde, acrolein and formaldehyde. Some news reports have also highlighted that inhaling these dangerous chemicals can lead to serious lung damage, lung diseases and even death.
Instead of turning to e-cigarettes, ALA suggests consulting your healthcare provider to create a quit-smoking plan that includes both medication and counseling.
This combination has proven to be one of the most effective ways to quit smoking for good. After consulting a healthcare provider, ALA suggests considering the use of proven quit-smoking medications such as nicotine gum, patches, nasal spray, inhalers and lozenges, as well as non-nicotine medications like bupropion and varenicline to help manage withdrawal symptoms.
Quitting tobacco brings both immediate and long-term benefits, with many changes becoming noticeable right away. First and foremost, you’ll save the money that was previously spent on tobacco. You’ll also experience several other positive effects: food will taste better, your sense of smell will return to normal, and your breath, hair, and clothes will smell fresher.
Additionally, your teeth and fingernails will stop yellowing and ordinary activities such as climbing stairs or doing light housework will leave you less breathless. You’ll also be able to enjoy smoke-free environments without needing to step outside for a cigarette.
Moreover, quitting tobacco prevents further damage to your appearance, helping to avoid premature skin aging, gum disease, and tooth loss.
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