Although there still is a big debate around the safety of vaping, one cannot argue with the fact that it is a safer alternative to smoking. There is no smoke, no tar and there is the fact that e-cigs are 95 percent safer than regular cigarettes.
But for something that's been around for these many years, you'd be surprised by the number of myths floating around the world that just aren't true but that still many people believe.
That said, here are some myths and the truth behind them.
E-Cigs are unregulated
Many activists have perpetuated this myth over the years to try and pressure the government into banning or restricting the sale of e-cigarettes and e-liquids. They try to convince us that the lack of oversight over these products means that we don't know what they contain and their side effects.
This is false. The Food and Drug Administration has been regulating the production and distribution of these products since they were granted permission by law in 2016. This means that the government knows what they contain, how they affect users, the environment, and any risks associated with e-cigarettes.
The safety of e-cigarettes rests heavily on its users. As long as you continue to buy your favorite high-quality blend of e-liquids from a reputable seller, you can be assured that it's safe for your body.
Vaping causes 'popcorn lung'
‘Popcorn' lung is the common term used to refer to a medical condition characterized by irreversible airway obstruction and caused by excessive damage to the bronchioles.
Diacetyl, one of the products thought to cause the condition is used to make some flavors in e-liquids. And although one incident in a chemical factory had a link between the chemical and the condition, the scientific community agrees that this isn't definitive proof that e-cigs cause the condition.
However, activists and naysayers will not shut up about this one and is one of the common reasons why many people interested in vaping have yet to deep their toes into it.
Vaping isn't effective in helping smokers quit
E-liquids have been praised as one of the easiest ways for tobacco smokers to get rid of their addiction. However, some people just won't believe this. A study published earlier this year debunked this myth and proved that vaping was an effective means to beat smoking addictions.
Regular cigarettes shouldn't be confused with e-cigarettes. Although both contain nicotine, one can regulate the amount of the chemical in their e-juice but the same cannot be done in cigarettes. This regulation is what helps smokers beat their addiction since they can gradually reduce the amount of nicotine in their e-liquid until they are at a place where they can vape nicotine-free e-juice.
The anti-freeze myth
For many years many people have been led to believe that e-liquids contain anti-freeze. This is just false.
The association between antifreeze and e-liquids is rooted in the fact that both products contain a chemical called propylene glycol. This chemical is an ingredient in e-juice and is useful in turning the juice into thick vapor.
However, propylene glycol is present in many everyday products. These include skincare products, popular foods, and soft drinks. The chemical was proven to be harmless to the body so you can rest assured that e-liquids are safe and don't contain antifreeze.
Exploding e-cigarettes
A few years ago, there were a lot of incidences where amateur vapers had their devices blow up. However, this isn't a characteristic of e-cigs, rather, it was the result of amateur vapers experimenting with vaping mods that were new to the market and very well beyond their expertise.
It's true that under serious mismanagement and the purchase of counterfeit batteries vape mods can blow up in your pocket. But that isn't the case with all e-cigs. Under a frequent cleaning routine, careful handling of all e-cigs and the replacement of faulty batteries and e-cigarettes, you never have to worry about your precious vape-pen blowing off.
