If you’re not yet into vaping but are here reading this article, it might be because you want to try it, but the stories you hear about it are stopping you. If that’s the only reason, then you’ve come to the right page. There are several misconceptions about vapes and vaping in general, so allow us to clarify the truth behind each myth.
#1: There are no e-cigarette regulations in the UK
This statement is not true. In fact, the UK has some of the strictest rules and regulations for e-cigarette use in the world.
All e-cigs in the UK should be of the highest quality and meet specific safety standards. Their packaging should be appropriately labelled to make sure all consumers are fully informed. All nicotine-containing products, including e-cigarettes or vapes, should follow the standards set under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016.
To ensure that all e-cigarettes are regulated correctly, all manufacturers should notify the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) about their new product and give them detailed information about it, including the list of all its ingredients.
#2: E-cigarettes can give you “popcorn lung”
“Popcorn lung” refers to the scarring of the tiny air sacs in the lungs. It often results in the thickening and narrowing of the bronchioles or airways. If you have popcorn lung, it is harder for your lungs to get the air they need.
Its association with vape began when e-liquid providers created a buttery flavour which contains the chemical diacetyl. This chemical, if taken too much, can lead to severe lung disease like bronchiolitis obliterans.
However, diacetyl has already been banned as an ingredient for all e-cigarettes and e-liquids in the UK. Therefore, e-cigarettes today will never cause popcorn lung.
#3: Vaping is as harmful as smoking
Nicotine is why people get addicted to smoking, making people believe that it is the worst component of a regular cigarette. Nicotine is also often associated with tobacco-related cancer, but evidence shows that it only carries a minimal health risk.
Cigarettes contain more than seven thousand harmful chemicals and toxins. Of all these chemicals, tar and carbon monoxide are the two most harmful. Although e-cigarettes are not entirely harmless, they do not contain these two dangerous elements. They are not as damaging as cigarette smoking. Even Public Health England found that using e-cigs is 95 per cent safer than smoking tobacco cigarettes.
#4: Exposure to e-cigarette vapour is harmful to secondhand smokers
The e-liquid in e-cigarettes typically contains nicotine, vegetable glycerine, propylene glycol, and some flavouring agents. It does not contain tar and carbon monoxide, which, as mentioned, are the most harmful elements of tobacco smoke. Therefore, its vapour will not be as dangerous as regular cigarettes’.
As of now, passive vaping has no identified health risks to the health of bystanders. Some studies even claim that e-cig vapour is harmless.
#5: E-cigarettes encourage young people to smoke
Some people say that e-cigarettes encourage young people to try smoking. However, there is no evidence to prove this claim. According to one survey, young people in the UK are experimenting with e-cigarettes, but regular usage from them is rare. E-cigarette users today are mostly those who were already smokers.
Conclusion
E-cigarettes are not perfect, but they are not as harmful as you think. Before believing any misconceptions about vapes, make sure to do your research and conduct some fact-checking. Now that you know the truth behind these e-cigarettes myths, you can make a more well-informed decision on whether to try it.
If you decide to give electronic cigarettes a try, get your first vape from our store. We also offer UK e-liquids and e-juices in various flavours, plus all the accessories you might need. Browse our products to learn more.