Vaping is a common trend among college students and young adults. 34% of college students use E-cigarettes.  Smoking and vaping are social habits with poor health consequences. Most people have a preconceived notion that vaping, or E-cigarettes are safer than regular cigarettes. This is false. Vaping is a relatively new trend, therefore there is not a lot of information about the negative side effects that it can have.

Vaping is very popular because it is supposedly healthier than cigarettes. There are many reasons people choose to vape and smoke E-cigarettes. For one, the smoke from vaping doesn’t have a smell, therefore people can vape indoors. In addition, vaping is much more convenient because you can simply vape and then put your E – cigarette in your pocket.

An E cigarette is filled with nicotine and or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabinoid (CBD) oils, and other substances and additives. These chemicals are highly addictive and can cause serious damage to your lungs. Early adaption of these substances can also harm the developing, specifically teenagers and fetuses (whose mothers smoke) potentially leading to both physical and mental health problems.  

Over the past few months, there have been many emergency room admissions due to vaping-related chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue. So far vaping has caused 530 cases of lung damage, disease, and 7 deaths in the USA. In addition, people who vape and get Coronavirus, have a higher chance of being on ventilators and the risk grows by 7-fold.

College students are often under a lot of stress from tests and jobs. Vaping allows them to get a sense of release from their stress. However, most of these students don’t realize the damage they are causing themselves, not only in the long term, but also in the short term.

In the long term, vaping can cause lung disease and cancer. But many cases have shown a decrease in your ability to breath within 30 days. It can also cause fatigue and chest pain. There have been thousands of people who have suffered greatly from lung damage due to vaping. Many young people have permanent damage because they are addicted to vaping and they falsely believe that it is better then smoking a cigarette. 

Many countries around the world are trying to ban the use of E- cigarettes. Israel is trying to limit the amount of people using E-cigarettes. In fact, this past week the Israeli Minister of Health announced that they are going to band selling flavored electric cigarettes. This is the first step in preventing people from harming themselves by vaping.

If you are vaping, or know someone who is, take these words of caution seriously.  EMA Care assists hundreds of students in Israel for the year. This would not be the first time we see a trend lead to ER visits.

EMA Care wishes you a wonderful and healthy week.