Vaping: A Common Addiction With Lethal Health Implications - Essay Sample

Introduction

Vaping is a common form of addiction to some people across the world today. It refers to the smoking of aerosols which people commonly refer to it as a vapour which comes from an e-cigarette. It is called vaping because e-cigarettes do not produce tobacco smoke, but one of the things that people confuse is that the vapour produced is not often water but steam which contains fine particles. The fine particles often contain toxic chemicals which can cause cancer respiratory ailments and heart complications, among others. In America, it became common after the e-cigarettes were produced in the market in large amounts over thirteen years ago. The most important thing to note is that vaping is extremely harmful to people's health and can cause complications and eventually, death.

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According to the New York Times magazine published on September 19 2019, there are more than 500 severe cases of respiratory illness which have been recorded in over 38 states. The article states "E-cigarettes swept onto the market about a decade ago. They're now a $2.6 billion industry in the United States, and roughly 20,000 vape and smoke shops have sprung up across the country in the past few years. There is also a thriving black market for vape pods" (New York Times September 19 2019). From the excerpt, it is evident that the American market is flooded with the production and the distribution of vape pods as well as the cigarettes and this is a major concern because it implies that more people will experience the heart and respiratory ailments. The more the producers and distributors of the product, then it implies that there is a rising demand, and this means more people will experience complications in the near future.

Additionally, the New York Times of September 5, 2019, explores the ignorance that people have in regard to the dangers of vaping. The article states that it is a high time that more studies are done on the risks of e-cigarettes. The article also expresses the concerns that parents have because of their children and especially the teenagers. The magazine explains that the centre for disease control and prevention has advised people not to use e-cigarette devices. In part, the article states "Health officials have identified one potential cause of the mysterious vaping-related illness that has sickened more than 450 people and claimed at least three lives: vitamin E acetate, an oil found in some marijuana-based vaping products. But there's still a lot they don't know. Are other adulterants also involved? Does a combination of vaping ingredients, or the use of a certain vaping device, increase the likelihood of falling ill?" (New York Times September 5 2019). The quote explores the need to create more awareness and sensitize the people about the dangers of using e-cigarette. The numbers of individuals who have developed the complications are high, and this implies that as more people discover the use of vaping cigarettes, then more cases of illness will be experienced. The article states that there is a lot that the people do not about the substance, for instance, the vitamin E acetate which is oil obtained from marijuana.

Similarly, research has also found out that vaping can be extremely addictive, and this can lure adolescents into cigarette smoking. Sheila Kaplan explains that vaping contain nicotine substances that can lead to addiction among teenagers and other users of the device. The NYT editor also explains it has dangerous effects on health, for instance, lung cancer, heart diseases as well as reproduction defects. An excerpt from the article explains "The panel found evidence among studies it reviewed that vaping may prompt teenagers or young adults to try regular cigarettes, putting them at higher risk for addiction, but that any significant linkage between e-cigarettes and long-term smoking has not been established. It said it was unable to determine whether young people were just trying cigarettes or becoming habitual smokers" (Kaplan, January 23 2018). In my view, the e-cigarettes though considered slightly safe compared to the tobacco cigarettes they are equally dangerous because they contain nicotine which creates addiction and in turn leads to the actual smoking of tobacco and other substances. Besides, the damage that it brings to the teenagers is uncalled for because when they use the substance as a form of enjoyment, they get addicted and eventually become actual smokers of tobacco cigarettes. When the teenagers smoke their life span will be shortened, and a majority of them might not realize their dreams as they might develop long term complications and eventually die.

According to the New York Times magazine published on September 7, 2019, there is a higher correlation between vaping and lung connected ailments. Studies indicate that if a person vapes for ninety days, there are high chances that they will begin to experience fatigue coughing and even run short of breath. The research indicates that several people in the recent past have been diagnosed with lung cancer with a couple of them succumbing to it. The article in part explains "Hundreds of people across the country have been sickened by a severe lung illness linked to vaping, and handfuls have died, according to public health officials. Many were otherwise healthy young people, in their teens or early 20s" (Ritchel & Grady7th of September 2019). From the article, it is evident that vaping is dangerous and should be regulated or otherwise banned. The majority of the affected populations are the teenagers a thing that should be looked into because if a majority of them die then the nation will soon suffer economically as the active generation is being wiped out.

Furthermore, in the current state that the world is experiencing a global pandemic of COVID-19 studies indicate that smokers and vapers are likely to be at high risk. Health professionals state that tobacco and marijuana are the number one substances that damage the lungs and when an individual gets the virus, then they are severely affected than those who do not use them. Experts consider the establishment of policies that will ban the production, distribution and consumption of e-cigarettes from reducing the disastrous effects that can bring to an individual's health especially during this time when the pandemic has claimed the lives of several people. The NYT article explains "Anxious times - like a pandemic - can lead to unhealthy but self-soothing habits, whether it's reaching for a bag of potato chips, more chocolate or another glass of wine. But some stress-reducing behaviours are alarming to medical experts right now - namely vaping and smoking of tobacco or marijuana" (Hoffman April 9 2020). The article explains that although there are other ways through which people can indulge in unhealthy behaviours, for instance, junk foods vaping and smoking is the worst of them all because it causes severe damages which may lead to death.

The pandemic affects the lungs, and when people continue to smoke, then it implies that when they are infected, their lungs will not be in a good state worsening their condition. Quitting vaping during this time of the pandemic will not only be helpful in regard to infections but will also help the individual avoid future hospital expenditure as a result of damaged lungs as well as other respiratory ailments. Health care experts give great advises that need to be followed, and if people are not willing to adhere to them, then force in terms of extremely punitive measures should be used to make people comply.

Vin Gupta, a New York Times editor, explores the dangers of flavoured e-cigarettes, and he points out the laxity that Trump administration is portraying regarding banning its production and use. The author explains that it could Trump is willing to endanger people's health because he wants to protect his political interests. The article explains that despite evidence from research showing that over seventy per cent of the youth use flavoured e-cigarettes, the authorities are relaxed in regard to taking action against. Studies indicate that the use of the products have become common among youths because it is readily available. It is indicated that one in every four high scholars has reported the use of vaping equipment in a year. The harm caused by the e-cigarette is severe because it contains a higher percentage of nicotine as compared to some cigarettes. Gupta states "With nearly 2,000 cases of severe lung illness and 37 deaths across the country attributable to vaping, this crisis has brought new attention to products that have long needed but never received federal scrutiny. Vaping devices have been on the market since the late 2000s, and yet the Food and Drug Administration has not examined a large majority of these products for their health or safety impact on humans" (Gupta, Vin November 19 2019). The article indicates that despite the dangers caused by e-cigarettes politics still dominate the policies that are made regarding health safety of the people. The most affected population are the youth who out of curiosity smoke the substance, and they end up being addicted and using more dangerous substances.

It is important to note that e-cigarette use has disastrous effects on the user's health as it affects the lungs, the heart and the general respiratory system. The majority of the people who are affected are the youth because they end up in addiction and even combining it with other substances such as marijuana. Policies should, therefore, be put in place to curb the menace, especially in this time when a pandemic affecting the lungs is claiming several lives across the world.

Works Cited

Center on addiction. What is Vaping? Retrieved from https://www.centeronaddiction.org/e-cigarettes/recreational-vaping/what-vaping April 30, 2020

Gupta, Vin. The Cowardice Behind Trump's Vaping-Ban Retreat https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/19/opinion/trump-vaping-ban.html Accessed April 30, 2020

Hoffman, Jan. Smokers and Vapers May Be at Greater Risk for Covid-19 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/09/health/coronavirus-smoking-vaping-risks.html

Kaplan, Sheila. Vaping Can Be Addictive and May Lure Teenagers to Smoking, Science Panel Concludes Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/23/health/e-cigarettes-smoking-fda-tobacco.html April 30, 2020

The Editorial Board . We Still Don't Know How Safe Vaping Is Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/05/opinion/vape-health.html April 30, 2020

Ritchel Matt & Grady Denise. What You Need to Know About Vaping-Related Lung Illness https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/07/health/vaping-lung-illness.html Accessed April 30, 2020

Zraick, Karen and Fortin, Jacey. Is It Time to Quit Vaping? Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/19/health/is-vaping-safe.html accessed on April 30, 2020