Vape or e-cigarettes are often considered safer than regular tobacco cigarettes. As a result, many people switch to e-cigarettes because they believe they can avoid the risk of heart disease and cancer associated with the use of tobacco cigarettes, such as clove and filter cigarettes.
However, is it true that the dangers of vaping are lower compared to tobacco cigarettes? Check out the full review of the dangers of vape or e-cigarettes in this article.
What is vape?
Vape or e-cigarette is a type of electronic nicotine delivery. This type of cigarette is known for helping tobacco cigarette addicts start quitting smoking.
By switching from tobacco cigarettes to e-cigarettes, they slowly learn to quit smoking.
The truth is, vapes and tobacco cigarettes are both harmful to your health.
These cigarettes come in various shapes and sizes, but there are three main components in e-cigarettes, namely:
- the battery,
- heating element, and
- a tube that contains liquid (cartridge).
The liquid in the cartridge contains ingredients such as:
- nicotine,
- propylene glycol or glycerin, as well as
- flavor enhancers, such as fruit and chocolate flavors.
E-cigarettes work by heating the liquid in the tube, then producing a smoke-like vapor that generally contains various chemicals.
Smokers inhale the chemicals contained in the vape directly from the mouthpiece.
What is contained in e-cigarettes (vapes)? E-cigarette liquid contains propylene glycol or glycerin, nicotine, and flavor enhancers.
The American Lung Association says that several studies have found toxic chemicals in e-cigarettes or vapes.
- Propylene glycol or glycerin serves to produce water vapor. Research shows that inhaling propylene glycol can cause respiratory tract irritation in some individuals.
- Nicotine is found in varying concentrations, between 0-100 mg/ml in an e-cigarette. It is a highly addictive substance and can negatively affect adolescent brain development.
- Carcinogens, which are chemicals known to cause cancer. Carcinogens found in vapes include acetaldehyde and formaldehyde.
- Acrolein, a substance typically used to kill weeds, can cause irreversible lung damage.
- Diacetyl, a chemical associated with the lung disease bronchiolitis obliterans.
- Diethylene glycol, which is a toxic chemical also associated with lung disease.
- Heavy metals, such as nickel and lead.
- Cadmium, which is a toxic metal found in traditional cigarettes. It can also cause various respiratory diseases.
- Benzene, which is a volatile organic compound. It is commonly found in car exhaust.
- Very small particles that can be inhaled deep into the smoker’s lungs.
Types of vape cigarettes
Vape cigarettes basically have many types. You can find these e-cigarettes in different shapes and sizes.
Here are the types of e-cigarettes that you should know.
1. Pen type
As the name suggests, this e-cigarette is shaped like a pen and is the smallest vape compared to other types of vape.
The way this type of vape works is basically the same as other types, namely by heating the vape liquid so that it can produce vapor.
There are two types of heating elements that you can choose to heat the pen type vape liquid.
Atomizer. This is the heating element for heating the nicotine-containing vape liquid. You’ll need to replace the atomizer if the heat has diminished in quality.
Cartomizer. This is a combination of a cartridge and an atomizer. In this setup, the heated component is in direct contact with the heating element.
To heat the heating element, the vaporizer needs a battery for energy.
These batteries are rechargeable and usually have a voltage of 3.7 V, but there are also batteries that can be adjusted.
This battery can have a power of up to 1300 mAh. Be careful with vape batteries as they can explode and harm you. Keep them out of the reach of children.
2. Portable type
This type of vaporizer is larger than the pen type vaporizer. Even so, portable vaporizers can still be put in your pocket.
Not much different from pen vaporizers, this type of vaporizer also has heating element components and batteries.
However, in portable vaporizers, the vape liquid is not in direct contact with the heating element, resulting in a better taste.
However, with portable vaporizers, the vape liquid is not in direct contact with the heating element, resulting in better flavor and less smoke.
Meanwhile, the battery life of portable vaporizers is usually strong enough to last 2-3 hours or more.
3. Desktop type
Desktop vaporizers are the largest e-cigarettes. You can only use it at home or in one place.
In addition, desktop vaporizers also require a flat surface to place them on and require a constant supply of energy to function properly.
A steady supply of energy makes desktop vaporizers produce more heat, a sharper taste, and more vapor than other types of vaporizers.
