Delta 8 vape pen is a small electronic device that heats liquid to create an aerosol that is inhaled. Vape devices come in many shapes and sizes, and some are disposable; others can be refilled with liquid and recharged. E-cigarettes and their refillable cartridges are sold in many stores and online, including specialty vape shops, some pharmacies and some supermarkets.
The liquid that creates the vapor contains nicotine, which is highly addictive and can harm developing brains. Nicotine can also make anxiety and depression worse, and affect memory, concentration and self-control, especially in teens. In addition, the vapor may contain dangerous chemicals, such as diacetyl, carcinogens and heavy metals. Many of these chemicals are harmful if swallowed, inhaled or come into contact with your skin.
Inhaling e-cigarette vapor can cause nausea, vomiting, mouth and airway irritation, chest pain and heart palpitations. Long-term use of e-cigarettes is associated with increased risk for stroke, lung disease and heart attack.
Research is needed to understand the long-term health effects of vaping. Some studies suggest that vaping might help smokers quit smoking, but it is not proven to be as effective as nicotine patches and gum for most people. It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about quitting tobacco or e-cigarettes. They can give you tips and support, including free resources to help you quit. It is also important to avoid places and situations that you normally vape, and find ways to replace them with healthier activities, like getting exercise.
Many e-cigarettes are marketed to youth with candy and dessert flavours. These flavours are especially appealing to kids, who are more likely to try e-cigarettes than adults. More than 83 per cent of young people who use e-cigarettes report using candy or dessert flavours. Dressing up a dangerous product in kid-friendly colours, scents and flavours makes it more likely that kids will misuse it and increase their risk of addiction.
Cigarettes release thousands of harmful chemicals when they are burned. These chemicals are poisonous and up to 70 of them can cause cancer. Vaping releases fewer chemicals, but the levels of some of them are higher than in cigarette smoke.
It’s not clear how harmful vaping might be in the long run, but it can cause immediate health problems, such as nausea, vomiting, mouth and throat irritation, heart palpitations and chest pain. It’s also not clear whether it causes other long-term health problems, such as addiction or damage to the lungs.
Vaping is not safe for pregnant women or their unborn babies. It can harm the baby’s development by exposing them to secondhand nicotine and other chemicals from the vapor. It’s best to quit smoking and stop vaping during pregnancy, and speak to a midwife or a stop smoking adviser for advice.