5 Significant Downsides of E-Cigarettes

The popularity of e-cigarettes has exploded, as many opt for a more 'health-conscious' alternative. But are e-cigarettes actually healthier? Based on research, this choice may not be as beneficial as many people think. Unfortunately, it may even reduce the effectiveness of trying to quit smoking entirely. Start reading now to discover the major downsides of e-cigarettes that can make many rethink developing this habit in the first place, or quit immediately if they already smoke e-cigarettes.

Suppresses Ability To Cough

Although coughing isn't always desirable, it does serve a purpose. When mucus or irritants drain down the throat or irritate the lungs, coughing is often triggered. It's the body's way of clearing foreign particles and irritants.

Based on research, it appears e-cigarettes can act as a cough suppressant to a degree. More specifically, a recent study indicated electronic cigarettes diminished overall cough reflex sensitivity. Many individuals believe this is beneficial for the body, however, suppressing coughing too much can potentially lead to an infection, specifically respiratory tract infections.

Continue reading to learn about the link e-cigarettes share with chemicals and temperature now.

High Temperatures Increase Exposure To Chemicals

As we know now, many opt for electronic cigarettes, thinking they're the healthier choice. The truth is, these e-cigarettes can create many harmful chemicals, including acetaldehyde and formaldehyde. There's a direct correlation between the coil temperature and the chemicals produced. A 2015 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that cancer-causing formaldehyde levels from e-cigarettes were fifteen times higher than regular cigarettes. When you increase the voltage of the e-cigarette, you increase your risk of exposure.

Of course, being exposed to harmful chemicals can cause various illnesses and other health complications. The exact potential and specific illness, of course, depends on the chemical in question as well as the quantity.

Different Flavors Result In Differing Effects

E-cigarettes come in all kinds of flavors, including banana pudding and menthol. These two, as well as three others that were tested, were found to cause undesirable changes with regards to the amount of calcium in the lungs. With over seven thousand varieties, it is not known how each individual flavor affects users.

E-cigarettes and their flavors are not highly regulated, resulting in varying qualities. Varying levels of chemicals and additives were present in a variety of tested flavors. Not all flavors are created equal, which seems like a gamble that's not worth risking.

Continue reading for more information on quitting with regards to e-cigarettes.

They May Not Help You Quit

Many smokers switch to e-cigarettes during the transition period between smoking traditional cigarettes and not smoking anything. When people try to quit, e-cigarettes are often used as a replacement. Based on a very recent study, they may actually make a smoking habit worse. Based on their findings, it's believed e-cigarette smokers are twenty-eight percent less likely to quit entirely, in comparison to smokers who never used these devices.

These results came from a meta-analysis, which focused on thirty-eight studies. Although e-cigarettes may not be as bad as regular cigarettes, it's believed they may cause individuals to keep smoking conventional cigarettes. It appears to be a flaw many individuals are not aware of. If you're aiming to quit smoking, it's best to skip these electronic smoking devices.

We Are Still In The Dark

E-cigarettes are still a new phenomenon and to be fair, not enough is known about their health effects. Science has barely scratched the surface, and long-term studies are lacking. Although they may contain fewer chemicals than conventional cigarettes, saying they're a 'healthy alternative' is a slippery slope. When you inhale anything but clean air, you're at risk of irritating and damaging your lungs.

The fact is, these devices remain unregulated and it's not possible to come to a conclusive decision regarding so many brands. At this time, the long-term effects are not fully understood. It's not yet known what vapor within the lungs will do, when inhaled on a regular basis, over an extended period.