INTRODUCTION
The rise of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and vaping has presented a significant
public health challenge, demanding urgent and comprehensive research to understand its short
and long-term consequences. Vapes or e-cigarettes are battery operated devices that heat a liquid
until it becomes a vapour, which is inhaled. Typically, e-liquids contain nicotine, different
flavorings, and polypropylene glycol, for many, it is considered as a safe alternative to
conventional cigarettes. Vapes were initially developed as stop smoking aid but they have now
become a recreational product popular among teenagers.
Tobacco combustion is replaced by e-liquid heating, and it has less harmful respiratory
effects than tobacco consumption. The range of e-liquid favors available to consumers is
extensive and is used to attract both current smokers and new e-cigarette users (Pokhrel 2015). A
study revealed that while the use of nicotine or favour-containing e-cigarettes led to significant
cytokines regulation and potential inflammation activation. Based on the studies carried out so
far, it seems that e-cigarette consumption is less toxic than tobacco smoking. This does not
necessarily mean that e-cigarettes are free from hazardous effects.
There is still a lack of evidence of e-cigarette consumption as a smoking cessation
method. Indeed, e-cigarettes containing nicotine may relieve the craving for smoking, but not the
conventional cigarette smoking habit. However, it has been reported that the heating process can
lead to the generation of new decomposition compounds that may be hazardous (Rowell TR. and
Tarran R 2015). Exposure of children and adolescents to nicotine in vaping solutions can lead to
long-term negative impacts on brain development. as well as addiction. Most of these reports
linking harmful effects with smoking or vaping, are based on their capability of increasing the
expression of angioplasty-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in the lung (Wrapp D. et al. 2020).
In a recently published randomized trial of 886 subjects who were willing to quit
smoking, the abstinence rate was found to be twice as high in the e-cigarette group than in the
nicotine-replacement group (18.0% vs. 9.9%) after 1 year (Hajek P. et al 2019). Typically, e-
liquids contain nicotine, different flavorings, and polypropylene glycol. Vaping devices are either
disposable vapes or rechargeable over this time frame, there has been heavy investment in e-
cigarette manufacturers by the tobacco industry. Adolescents are being targeted by aggressive
advertising and marketing campaigns akin to that produced by the tobacco industry at the mid-
point of the 20th century.
The advent of social media has provided a platform for e-cigarette companies to market
their products to youth at an unprecedented level (Rutherford et al. 2023). Furthermore, the
introduction of disposable vaping products to the market has resulted in a significant uptake in
adolescent vaping. It can lead to tobacco smoking. A systematic review conducted in 2021
concluded that teenager vapers were three to five times more likely to take up tobacco smoking
when compared with non-vapers Increased public awareness and education for Health care
professionals on teenage vaping needs to be addressed.
Vaping has become a global public health issue that must be addressed urgently.
Numerous studies across many jurisdictions have reported the significant increase in the
prevalence of teenage vaping over recent years. A recent meta-analysis involving 69 countries
reported that ever and current vaping use among adolescents and young adults under 20 years of
age was 17.2% and 7.8% respectively (Yoong et al. 2021).
CONSEQUENCES WHEN USING VAPE
The particles you inhale while vaping can cause inflammation (swelling) and irritation
in your lungs. This can lead to ling damage like scarring and narrowing of the tubes that bring it
in and one of your lungs. Researchers don't yet know all the effects vaping can have on your
body. The dangers of vaping can make you more likely to get asthma and other lung conditions.
It can make your existing asthma worse. Diacetyl, a chemical used in some flavorings,
can cause bronchitis obliterates ("popcorn lung"). Bronchiolitis obliterans causes permanent
scarring in your lungs. In addition to your lungs, nicotine and other substances in e-liquid can
hurt your heart and brain. We know nicotine can hurt brain development, raise your blood
pressure and narrow your arteries.
EVALI (e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury) is a serious lung
condition that vaping causes. It causes widespread damage to your lungs and gives you
symptoms like cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach
pain. Fast heartbeat. It can be fatal. Nicotine is highly addictive. It causes changes in your brain
so you want more and more nicotine. You might not be able to stop vaping if you want to or if it
starts causing health problems.
Even e-liquids that say they are nicotine free have small amounts of nicotine. Many
people start out vaping and end up smoking cigarettes, which contain higher amounts of harmful
chemicals. There have been incidents of batteries in vaping devices exploding and causing
serious injuries and burns. Some ingredients in e-liquids are known to cause cancer. Short-term
side effects of vaping is coughing, shortness of breath, eye irritation, headaches, dry and irritated
mouth and throat, and lastly nausea.
BENEFITS IN VAPING
You may have heard the benefits of vaping are that it is safe or that it helps you quit
smoking. Some people vape because they think it will help them quit smoking if they have
already tried other methods and have not been able to quit. Unfortunately, you may end up
addicted to vaping instead, so the benefits of vaping for smoking cessation may not be as good as
they seem. There is no benefit to vaping if you do not smoke. People usually think vaping is not
as bad as cigarette smoking, but the mist you breathe in still has nicotine and other harmful
chemicals in it.
HOW CAN A PERSON QUIT VAPE
Vaping is not safe and can cause health problems, including life-threatening lung
injuries. Quitting vaping is similar to quitting smoking, sticking to a diet or any other habit you
want to change. It's a process that would not happen overnight, but you can make a plan to help
you along the way. Make goals, even if it includes reducing vaping gradually. Set a quit date.
Make sure it is not too far away or at the same time as a stressful event.
Talk to a healthcare provider, therapist or school counselor about quitting. They can help
you make a plan that works for you and give you support in the process. Ask your provider,
therapist or school counselor about free resources to help you quit, like online, texting and phone
services or apps. Let friends and family know your plans for quitting. They can give you support
and hold you accountable to stick to your plan. Make a list of reasons you want to quit vaping.
Look at it or think of it throughout the process of quitting. Avoid temptations and
triggers. Try to avoid situations where you normally vape or replace them with other activities.
Get exercise. Not only does exercise distract you from the desire to vape, it also helps you feel
good. Know that you will have cravings and some side effects, like headaches or anxiety.
Nicotine gum, patches or other medications can help with cravings.
Learn to relax with yoga, meditation and deep or rhythmic breathing. From accessories
to flavors, vaping can seem very appealing. Unfortunately, it is not as harmless as it seems. We
know nicotine and other ingredients in e-liquids can hurt your body and we still do not know
what long-term health problems vaping could cause. If you do not vape, don't start. If you need
help quitting, know that you are not alone.
There are online resources, texting and phone services and apps that connect you with
real people to help you on your journey to kick the habit. While vaping may seem like a safer
alternative to smoking, the current research highlights significant health risks associated with e-
cigarette use. More studies are needed to clarify the full extent of these dangers and inform
public health policy.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The study aims to find out what vaping is, the benefits, and consequences.
Specifically, the study seeks to find the answer of the following questions:
1. What is vape/vaping?
2. What are the consequences when using vape?
3. Are there any benefits in vaping?
4. How can a person quit vaping?
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The outcomes of the study will be beneficial to the following:
For young adults to help them acknowledge what are the risks and consequences when
they use vape.
For young adults/adults/teenagers to help them learn how to quit and prevent them from
using vape.
SCOPE AND DELIMINATION
The study will only focus on the risks and consequences in using vape.
The instrument to be used in gathering data are questionnaires to assess their own opinion
in using vape.
The respondents of the study will be selected school students of Benito, Soliven.
Academy (BSA) inc.
