Category: Health

E-Zigaretten – Gesünder als normales Rauchen?

E-Zigaretten – Gesünder als normales RauchenDie Meinungen über die neue Art des Rauchens gehen weit auseinander. Viele sind der Ansicht, sie seien lediglich ein anderer Einstieg in das Rauchen, der insbesondere jungen Leuten geboten würde. Andere meinen wiederum, dass dies eine gesunde Alternative zum Rauchen von Tabakwaren sei und auch der komplette Ausstieg der so schädlichen Angewohnheit dadurch möglich wäre.

„Studien des Royal College of Physicians aus London befürworten E-Zigaretten”

Doch das Royal College of Physicians aus London konnte nun in einer mehr als 200-Seiten umfassenden Studie belegen, dass der Konsum von E-Zigaretten weitaus weniger gesundheitsschädigend sei als vergleichbare Tabakerzeugnisse. Die Hauptargumente der Forscher sind dabei insbesondere die schnelle Abgewöhnung sowie das insgesamt gesündere Rauchverhalten.

Natürlich dürfe man an dieser Stelle nicht vergessen, dass das Rauchen von E-Zigaretten keinesfalls komplett unbedenklich für die Gesundheit sei. Nikotin ist immer noch eine Droge und die generellen Auswirkungen von Nikotin auf den Menschen sind bislang noch nicht zu 100% erforscht. Doch eines stellen die Forscher fest: Die gesundheitlichen Folgen, welche das sogenannte „Vapen“ mit sich bringe, liegen überraschenderweise unter 5 Prozent derjenigen, welche das normale Rauchen von Tabakwaren verursacht. Eine klare Aussage für die revolutionäre E-Zigarette!

„Verzicht auf zahlreiche und schädliche Gifte“

Verzicht auf zahlreiche und schädliche GifteSchließlich verzichtet man bei E-Zigaretten komplett auf das so schädliche Kohlenstoffmonoxid sowie weitere zahlreiche und immens schädliche Gifte, welche beim Verbrennen des Tabaks entstehen. Die elektronischen Geräte verwenden dagegen eine Mischung aus Glycerin und Propylenglykol, der Nikotin beigesetzt wird sowie ein für den Konsumenten frei wählbares Aroma, was das Erlebnis schließlich einzigartig macht.

Doch auch hier müssen Abstriche gemacht werden. So argumentieren Gegner der E-Zigarette, dass man beim Einsatz der verschiedenen Aromen – von Zimt und Zuckerwatte über Menthol bis hin zu Mango oder Kirsche – die empfohlenen Grenzwerte auch bei normalem Konsum weit überschreite. Atemwegsreizungen und ähnliche Gefahren seien dabei die ersten Erscheinungen.

„Der erste Schritt zur Abgewöhnung“

Die größte Chance der E-Zigarette liegt bislang jedoch darin, dass sie den ersten Schritt zur Abgewöhnung darstellen. In einer groß angelegten Studie in Großbritannien untersuchten Forscher das Konsumverhalten von Rauchern. 2,6 Millionen Menschen auf der Insel konsumieren der Studie zufolge E-Zigaretten, knapp neun Millionen Raucher greifen dagegen noch auf die herkömmliche Zigarette zurück. Die Befunde konnten jedoch belegen, dass fast alle Raucher von elektronischen Geräten zuvor bereits mit Tabakerzeugnissen in Verbindung standen.

Kaum ein Konsument von E-Zigaretten im test hatte diese Methode als Nichtraucher gewählt und begonnen. Insgesamt würde die E-Zigarette das Rauchen also nicht befördern und populärer machen, es bietet lediglich zum größten Teil eine gesündere Alternative für bereits abhängige Konsumenten und daher eine Chance für die gesamte Gesellschaft, zumal auch das Passivrauchen dadurch eingeschränkt werden könne.

Nur aufpassen müsse man bei Jugendlichen, die aufgrund des guten Geschmacks wohl für E-Zigaretten empfänglicher sind als für herkömmliche Tabakwaren. Doch hier haben die Verbraucherschützer bereits eingelenkt. Schließlich ist die E-Zigarette seit April 2016 für Kinder und Jugendliche verboten.

„Ein Schritt in die richtige Richtung“

quit smokingZusammenfassend erklären Forscher also die E-Zigarette für einen Schritt in die richtige Richtung. Natürlich seien dadurch Gesundheitsrisiken nicht völlig vom Tisch und auch die Nikotinsucht könne man dadurch keineswegs bekämpfen. Doch aufgrund der gesundheitlich weniger schädlichen Produkte sei ein vorläufiger Wechsel unbedingt zu empfehlen!

How Vaping Influences the Media

vaping in pop cultureTraditionally, smoking has appeared in the movies as a sophisticated and mysterious habit, with heroes and heroines lighting up a casual cigarette with sexy appeal. However, after discovering the connection between smoking tobacco and health problems, smoking on-screen fell from favour. However in 2014, “vape” was chosen by Oxford Dictionaries as the International Word of the Year, and it was easy to see why. Vaping references were suddenly everywhere and celebrities were falling over themselves to proclaim their love for e-cigs. Suddenly, movies, TV shows and even video games were filled with images of vapers enjoying their favourite pastime. In this article, we look at some of the best known moments from both the big and small screen in which vapes have played a key role.

Vapers On The Television

2 Broke Girls

This comedy which was first seen on our screens in 2011 follows the story of two girls who own a cupcake store and are struggling to get by. In episode 11 of season 4 viewers were treated to the sight of a group of hipsters who brought vapes to the diner. In another episode, Sophie is also seen vaping in the diner.

House of Cards

The Hollywood version of the old BBC TV series, 2013’s House of Cards shows the lead character, played expertly by superstar Kevin Spacey, turning to vaping in his attempt to give up smoking.

Humans

This 2015 show from AMC sees AI humans known as Synths being servants to humans. Vaping appears regularly in the show, with Neil Maskell’s character, Detective Drummond, being a positive role model for others in the vaping community.

The Simpsons

America’s most famous cartoon family have mentioned vaping multiple times over recent years, with Bart being introduced by Milhouse’s cousin to vaping in the Let’s Go Fly A Coot episode of 2015. At it wasn’t only Bart who enjoyed his cloud chasing – Groundskeeper Willie vapes with his bagpipes, while even Maggie has her own vape pen.

Vaping In Movieland

vaping in tv

The Tourist

This 2010 movie which featured mega-stars Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie may not have been well received by the critics, but it was great for vapers. Depp’s character is a keen vaper and is shown holding one during his train ride to Venice.

Sex Tape

Jack Black is reported to be an avid vaper off-screen, so it’s hardly surprising that we see him in this 2014 movie puffing away on an e-cig in his role as YouPorn’s owner.

The Lazarus Effect

With its twist on the old-school Frankenstein’s monster plot, this movie features Evan Peters’ character, Clay, vaping in numerous scenes and is known for one of the best horror scenes featuring a vape that has ever been seen on screen. The vape in question, however, has been the subject of some debate, with some saying it’s a V2 while others thinking it’s actually a cig-a-like.

Drive Hard

The retired racer played by John Cusack in this 2014 movie is shown puffing regularly on his eGO C-Twist throughout this action movie. Cusack is another one of the Hollywood elite who is known to be a committed vaper in his private life.

Cymbeline

Released under the name Anarchy in the United Kingdom, this modern reworking of the Shakespeare play features Milla Jovovich wielding a vape, showing that even the classics aren’t exempt from this contemporary trend.

As you can see, vaping is becoming more and more prevalent in mainstream culture, and in future, we’re highly likely to see e-cigs taking an even greater role on stage and screen. Hollywood had better be prepared!

What are the nicotine withdrawal symptoms?

If you want to quit smoking, then you should know about some withdrawal symptoms that you can expect for some days. The first few weeks are the most challenging period. It takes about 8 to 12 weeks before a person starts to feel comfortable with the new lifestyle change. Withdrawal from nicotine will cause a headache, nausea, anxiety, etc. These feelings are very unpleasant and stressful. But you should remember that these are only temporary. These symptoms will be gone within six months of quitting smoke.

The first two weeks are very important as it determines whether your mission will be successful or you will fail. You will notice the following symptoms.

Physical symptoms

You will feel tingling in the hands and feet, sweating, headache, cramps, nausea, sore throats, and other respiratory problems. All these symptoms will persist for weeks before these will slowly disappear.

Mental and emotional symptoms

You have tension and craving build up during withdrawal periods. Sometimes things become intolerable. They get feelings of intense needs, dependency, temper tantrums, insomnia, mental confusion, irritability, anxiety, and depression.

You have taken a great step in deciding to quit smoking. But you have to be prepared to deal with these symptoms. Once you overcome these feelings of physical and mental discomfort, you will soon be able to start a healthy and comfortable life. You will not only live healthily but will keep your family members healthy and contribute to a better environment to live in.

3 best ways to quit smoking and be healthy

There are various ways to quit smoking. Some methods work for some people, whereas, for others, it does not. Here are the most effective ways to quit smoking.

Come up with a quit plan

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You should first make the decision of quitting smoke firmly. You should be well prepared so that you don’t lose the motivation down the line. You must tell your friends and family that you are quitting. This way they will encourage you all the time. You should remove cigarettes and ashtrays from home, work, car, and other places where you might smoke. Find out what triggers you to smoke and decide how you will deal with them.

Behavioral therapy

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A counselor will have several sessions with you and find ways not to smoke. The counselor will help to identify your triggers like situations that encourage you to smoke. He or she will give you the plan to get through your cravings.

Nicotine replacement therapy

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Nicotine, replacement therapy includes nicotine gum, patches, lozenges, inhalers, and sprays. They give you nicotine without tobacco. This plan works best when you do behavioral therapy along with it.

You can use a combination of treatment methods to help you quit smoking. There are some medicines also that the doctor prescribes so that you can quit smoking. The earlier you decide to quit smoking, the better. It may cause irreparable damage to your health if you delay. So, have a strong determination that you are going to quit smoking and stick to the treatment method you want to use.

Five Things You May Not Know About Your E-Cig

Five Things You May Not Know About Your ECigOver 40 million Americans still smoke despite the knowledge made available about smoking tobacco. Information like how smoking cigarettes can damage every organ in the body or that 1 out of every 4 deaths are due to some smoking-related illness. And with seventy-percent of American smokers surveyed stated they want to quit, over 40 percent say they have tried in the past 12 months.

Cigarette sales dropped by 10% in 2009 after the federal cigarette tax increased, an indication that cost was a part of why the habit of Americans changing. Another factor contributing to the decrease in sales has been credited to the electronic cigarette industry.

Electronic cigarettes, aka e-cigarettes or e-cigs, saw global sales of almost $3 billion, including smokeless inhalers. It has been reported that up to one-fifth of all tobacco smokers have gone this route in the attempt to kick the habit.

The e-cig industry was developed in China and it would be 2007 before Americans would see them on the market. Many of these devices have very similar appearance to the “real thing”, but once you see what’s inside, you’ll find that instead of burning tobacco, they are actually vaporizers. They heat up a flavored liquid which turns into vapor and the user inhales that vapor.

There are arguments that e-cigs offer health advantages over the traditional cigarettes. But some health experts and regulatory agencies aren’t convinced. Here we offer the following 5 pieces of information for your consideration before you take up the e-cig habit:

Nothing Is Burning

E-cigs use a lithium battery, so the need to keep up with a lighter or matches is gone. E-cigs contains a cartridge where you put the flavored liquid and a vaporization chamber. The battery provides power to the device that heats up the liquid when puffed on. Some e-cig have a LED tip which glows when you take a puff to give it a more ‘real’ appearance. Since there isn’t any tobacco burning, there isn’t any carbon monoxide, odor, or smoke because what is being inhaled is vapor.

Liquid Nicotine

While e-cigs are smoke and tobacco free, they are not nicotine-free. The liquid used in them are usually a mix of nicotine, flavoring, propylene glycol, and other additives. The percentage of nicotine varies based on the mixture in liquid-nicotine cartridge. Some e-cig products contain a comparable amount of nicotine to full strength tobacco cigarettes and others are closer to what light or ultralight tobacco cigarettes. You can also find flavored liquids that do not have any nicotine if you are looking for the sensory experience that smoking a cigarette provides and not worry about any possible harmful effects.

They Are Toxic

toxicOf 7,000-plus chemicals contained in a cigarette, 69 of them are known carcinogens, making regular cigarettes toxic. However, e-cigs are not necessarily healthier. That liquid nicotine we discussed earlier is comes from tobacco. Where traditional cigarettes have tobacco leaves, the liquid nicotine is e-cigs can be lethal. The liquid nicotine is harmful when inhaled and even more so when absorbed into the skin or ingested. It takes less than one tablespoon of an e-liquid to kill an adult. It take less than one teaspoon to kill a child.

From September of 2010 to February of 2014, it is report that poison control centers saw an increase in the number of calls each month regarding e-cig nicotine-infused liquids. Over 51 percent of the calls were accidental poisoning of kids.  Some test results have found that the nicotine isn’t the only danger. Some e-cig devices have been found to release metal while using them and other impurities that are carcinogenic or toxic.

Quality Control Lacks

quality controlRegardless of being available on the market for a few years, the safeness of e-cigs is still questionable by several health experts and regulatory agencies. Two of their biggest concerns being:

  • Ingredients are not required to be disclosed
  • Health and safety claims are missing

For example, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) discovered in 2009 that some of the liquid nicotine cartridges contained approximately 1 percent of the toxic chemical DEG (diethylene glycol), This is the same toxic chemical ingredient found in antifreeze.

And adding to their concern, it has been found that the amount of nicotine stated on a cartridge label doesn’t always match what the actual amount is. The difference found by the FDA in random tests found differences ranging from almost 27 to over 43 micrograms nicotine per 100 milliliter puff. Lab testing found that even the nicotine-free cartridges have a low dose nicotine.

FDA Regulation

fda approvedMany tobacco products are regulated by the FDA such as traditional cigarettes, cigarette tobacco, roll-your-own tobacco, as well as smokeless tobacco. In 2014, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act was proposed by the FDA. This regulation states that the manufacturers be required to completely disclose their products ingredients and request approval from the FDA before marketing them. In addition, e-cigs cannot be sold to minors and health warning labels must be placed on the products. The act also prohibits any distribution of free samples and sales via vending machine are prohibited.

What You Should Know About Vaping

Are e-cigarettes a safe method to help a tobacco user quit? Or are they the gateway for kids to get hooked on smoking? With all we know about how smoking can lead to cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and a host of other health issues, are they worth that risk?

With “vapor shops” showing up on every corner these days, they certainly aren’t hard to find. But with new regulations and rules that went into effect across the country this past summer, will it slow down the booming growth of e-cigarettes?

E-Cigarette Basics

And e-cigarette looks like a real cigarette but is battery-operated instead of being lit by a lighter or match. There are several different brands and styles of these devices, each having it’s own “look” with the refillable tanks. What they have in common is they are intended to take care of your nicotine habit without the known dangers of traditional cigarettes. And they all work in the same basic manner:

  • There is a container, aka tank, that are filled with liquid that contains flavoring, nicotine and other chemicals.
  • There is a heating device that works from the battery and vaporizes the liquid which is inhaled.

are e-cigs safe

Are They Safe?

Most of the e-cigarettes contain a nicotine, which is the same addictive substance found in traditional cigarettes. When a person quits using e-cigarettes, they can experience depression and withdrawal, become irritable. Anyone that has known heart or lung problems should not vape any more than they should use traditional cigarettes. E-cigarettes can also damage a child’s brain development, affecting their attention span and memory. An expecting mother should avoid them as any other tobacco to avoid damaging her unborn baby.

But nicotine isn’t the only concern about e-cigarettes. Some e-cigarettes contain chemicals like formaldehyde, a substance used in construction materials. There are similar ingredients in e-cigarettes that is in antifreeze as well, a cancer-causing agent.

E-cigarette flavors also are a concern such as those that have a buttery-taste created by using diacetyl, a chemical found in popcorn and other foods. In the form of food, it isn’t as dangerous as when it is being inhaled. It has been linked with lung disease, aka ‘popcorn lung.’

While e-cigarettes aren’t considered 100% safe, it is the opinion of most experts that they aren’t as dangerous as traditional cigarettes., says Neal Benowitz, MD, a nicotine researcher at the University of California at San Francisco. Cigarette smoking kills almost half a million people a year in the United States. Most of the harm comes from the thousands of chemicals that are burned and inhaled in the smoke, he explains.

E-cigs don’t burn, so people aren’t as exposed to those toxins. A 2015 expert review from Public Health England estimated e-cigs are 95% less harmful than the real thing.

That figure is controversial and might be a little high, says Kenneth Warner, a tobacco policy researcher at the University of Michigan. But, he adds, “The worst critics of e-cigarettes would probably argue they’re a half to two-thirds less dangerous. But from a practical view, they’re probably on the order of 80% to 85% less dangerous, at least.”

Some states and communities that ban smoking in public places also ban vaping. But, Warner says, while the danger from secondhand vapor isn’t zero, “it’s probably very low.”

Do They Help Smokers Quit?

help to quit

“We don’t have the definitive study on that,” Warner says. “My reading of the evidence is that it is quite convincing that e-cigarettes are helping some people quit smoking.”

Caren Kagan Evans, 56, of Washington DC, is one of those people. She started smoking when she was 13-years-old. Over the years, Evans tried to quit by using the nicotine patch, gum, and even hypnosis.

Vaping worked in a month, and she’s been off cigarettes for more than two years. “I’m breathing, sleeping, and eating much better since I started vaping. My ‘smoker’s laugh’ went away, and I no longer smell like an ashtray.”

But Evans’ story is the exception, not the rule.

“If there was good evidence that people were using e-cigarettes just to quit smoking, there would be wide support,” Benowitz says. “The problem is most of the e-cigarette use in the U.S. is dual use with cigarettes.” People use e-cigs in places or situations where they can’t smoke, like in a restaurant, but continue lighting up when they can, he explains.

Sward points out that according to the FDA, there’s no evidence any e-cigarette is safe and effective at helping smokers quit. She suggests talking to your doctor about medications and other strategies that are proven stop-smoking tools.

The American Heart Association says e-cigs should only be used as a last resort way to quit.

Do They Lead Kids to Smoke?

vaping kidsCritics of e-cigarettes fear that vaping will get kids hooked on nicotine and that they’ll “graduate” to cigarettes when they want a bigger kick, Warner says.

Two recent studies suggest a link.

A 2016 study in the journal Pediatrics found that teens that never smoked but used e-cigs were six times more likely to try cigarettes compared to kids who don’t vape.

A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2015 found a connection too. Researchers surveyed 2,500 Los Angeles high school students who had never smoked. They found that kids who used e-cigs were more likely than non-users to smoke cigarettes or other tobacco products over the next year.

But, CDC stats on teen smoking show that while use of e-cigs went up to 24% in 2015, cigarette smoking dropped to an historic low — to just under 11%.

The trend is reassuring, Benowitz says.

Regulations

The FDA is regulating e-cigarettes and tobacco products such as hookah tobacco and cigars in the same way as cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. Key rules include:

  • No one under age 18 can purchase them — in stores or online.
  • Sellers will need to check ID of anyone under 27 years of age.
  • The products can’t be sold in vending machines, except for in adult-only facilities.
  • Free samples are banned.

E-cigarettes placed on the market after 2007 have to go through an FDA safety and approval review to enter or stay on the market. That could take years, but products can be sold while they wait for approval.

Critics say the rules will crush small makers of e-cigs because they can’t afford the time and lawyer fees to get through the process.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Lung Association are glad to have the rules. But, Sward adds, “We certainly thought [the FDA] should have gone farther — ending the sale of flavored products.” Some come in candy and fruity flavors that appeal to kids and teens.

What Else You Should Know About E-Cigs

They can blow up. There were 134 reports of e-cigarette batteries overheating, catching fire, or exploding between 2009 and January 2016, according to Michael Felberbaum, an FDA spokesperson. Some people were seriously hurt. The new rules will allow FDA to review the safety of batteries and eventually take action to protect the public.

They can poison people. Liquid nicotine is especially dangerous to young kids. Reports of poisonings are on the rise. Keep all e-cigarettes out of reach of little ones.

The FDA plans on future rules that will require nicotine warnings and child-resistant packaging for products with e-liquids, Felberbaum says.

Top 5 reasons why you should quit smoking today

Smoking has a lot of negative consequences in our lives. People around the world have started to quit smoking. Here are the reasons why you should think of getting rid of your smoking habit too.

Better health

Smoking causes lung cancer. They also damage your teeth. There are many health concerns. It affects many parts of your body. Nicotine is addictive, and it can change your brain. There is hearing loss and sight loss. Mouth sores and gum diseases are common in smokers. The face of a smoker loses elasticity, so people age faster. Smoking affects the heart and stomach as well.

Saves money

Smoking is expensive A pack a day of cigarette will cost you $500 a month. If you quit smoking, you will be able to save a lot of money. You can use that money for better things like taking a vacation.

Have more self-control

A smoker clearly shows a lack of self-control. The more you smoke, the more the things get out of hand. You become weak, and this will be obvious in the other works you do throughout the day.

Breathe better

When you quit smoke, you will breathe deeper. You will inhale pure air, and your lungs will be in better condition. When you smoke, the lung capillaries get constricted. After you quit smoking, it will grow back to full size. It will stay absorbing more oxygen.

Food will taste better

When you smoke, it leaves a strong flavor in your mouth throughout the day. So, the food you eat doesn’t taste that good. It makes sense of taste somewhat dull. You constantly have the smell of tobacco in your nose so you cannot smell the food properly as well.

All these are strong reasons to quit smoking. Smoking cigarettes not only help you but also lets your family members be healthy. You can promote a healthy living environment by quitting this bad habit.