Vaping

Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling vapour through the mouth. These vapours are produced by vaping devices such as electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) or vapes. The prevalence of e-cigarette use is rising in Canada, especially among youth and young adults. Although vaping is growing in popularity with a widespread availability of products on the market, vaping is not harmless!

What is vaping?

Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling vapour through the mouth. These vapours are produced by vaping devices such as electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) or vapes. In general, vaping devices such as e-cigarettes consist of a mouthpiece, a cartridge containing the “e-liquid” or “e-juice,” a heating element, and a battery. The e-liquid, made up of propylene glycol, glycerin, flavours, and nicotine (usually), vaporizes upon heating and then condenses into an aerosol, which is then inhaled orally by the user.

Vaping in Canada

According to the 2017 Canadian Tobacco, Alcohol and Drug Survey (CTADS), the prevalence of e-cigarette use is rising. In 2017, 15.4% of Canadians (approximately 4.6 million people) ages 15 and older reported having ever tried an e-cigarette; 2.9% (approximately 863,000) reported using one in the past 30 days; and 1.0% (approximately 292,000) reported daily use. The usage of e-cigarettes is most prevalent among younger age groups: 22.8% of youth ages 15 to 19 and 29.3% of young adults ages 20 to 24.

Is vaping safe?

Although research is ongoing, the growing popularity and widespread availability of vaping devices poses some concerns. Vaping can increase the risk of:

• oral health effects including dry mouth, saliva thickening, mouth sores/ulcers, cavities and gum disease
• nicotine addiction from exposure to high concentrations of the chemical, particularly in extra-strength cartridges
• burn injuries from exploding battery-powered vaping devices
• lung and heart diseases caused by inhaling toxic chemicals in vaping liquid

While e-cigarettes and other vaping devices are marketed as a less harmful alternative to regular cigarettes, they have not been approved as a smoking cessation aid in Canada. With vaping on the rise, knowing the risks is important for making informed choices. Those interested in quitting tobacco should speak to their health care providers, including dental hygienists, about safe and effective treatments and behavioural supports.