Smoking Electronic Cigarettes, otherwise known as vaping, can actually help smokers quit the habit according to a recent study published in the BMJ (British Medical Journal). Researchers have found out people who use e-cigarettes are more likely to quit compared to those who haven’t.
However, the results from the study still don’t answer the long-running debate on whether e-cigs are healthier than traditional cigarettes. It’s still an option, nonetheless, for people who are looking to quit the habit.
E-cigarettes are handheld devices that imitate the sensation of smoking.
It works by heating a liquid to produce a vapor that the user inhales. The liquid used in e-cigs is usually made of nicotine, glycerin, propylene glycol and additional flavorings, although not all liquids contain nicotine.
Vaping has become more and more popular since it was introduced in the early 2000’s.
BMJ studies e-cigarettes
The study made by BMJ involved over 160,000 participants over a span of 15 years. The study showed that eight percent of those who used e-cigs were able to succeed in quitting, at least for three months. Meanwhile, only five percent of smokers who didn’t use e-cigs were able to quit.
However, the study did not mention other factors like what types of e-cigs were used during the study.
In addition, national ad campaigns against smoking may have also contributed to the results.
Nevertheless, the number of people who quit smoking altogether was raised by 1.1 percent in 2015 from 2011, that’s 350,000 people.
Does this mean e-cigarettes can be helpful?
Different countries have different opinions about this technology because there are still cancer-causing chemicals that have been found in vaping that might still cause heart problems.
For instance, the United Kingdom supports the idea of vaping and even encourages smokers to switch to e-cigarettes. This is in stark contrast with the United States where potential dangers of e-cigs are the primary concern.
Moreover, there’s also the fact that some people who don’t even plan to smoke become “vapers,” because they are lured into thinking that vaping is much healthier than the traditional cigarette.
An e-cigarette is a relatively new technology and people who might be thinking of picking up the habit should be wary of the potential dangers it may bring. Also, they should also wait for further studies as the risks involved are still uncertain.
