Until 2017 E-cigarettes and vapes were perceived as less harmful than the regular cigarettes. That perception has changed drastically. Just within two years, the people who thought that vape was less harmful than actual cigarettes have been greatly reduced. The people who said otherwise have increased manifolds. Today we will see how perceptions regarding vaping and E-cigarettes are changing among adults as well as youth.

BMC Medicine Study

Based on the study that reviewed the data of almost 17000 smokers that were 16 and above, there was a one per cent decrease in smokers who believed that e-cigarettes are safer. This was also supported by the fact that there was a steep decline of almost 0.48 per cent in vape usage. People with the opinion that vape is just as harmful as regular cigarettes increased.

The same trend continued for 16 to 24-year-olds and changed just slightly for people above that age. Surprisingly this trend was the same for all social classes as well.

HINTS and TPRPS Surveys

The results of many other surveys show that there is a dramatic shift in people’s perception regarding vapes between 2012 and 2017. The people who believed that they were less dangerous dropped to 33.9 per cent with a decrease of almost 7 per cent in 2012. Surprisingly people who thought that vapes do as much harm as regular cigarettes increased thrice. These results are consistent with both HINTS and TPRPS surveys. So what do these surveys suggest?

The reduction in vape use over the past few years may be a direct result of this perception. Risk perception always plays a major role in tobacco usage. Many smokers either quit vape or never moved to it considering that they are just as harmful as regular cigarettes.

Whatever is the cause of a reduction in vape usage, the following points are very clear:

1. Vape is just as addictive as cigarettes because vape juice comprises nicotine.
2. Vape also has other addictive compounds that can cause behavioural changes like mood swings and other psychological conditions.
3. Vape can interrupt the hormonal secretion and can cause hormonal imbalance.
4. The burnout period of vape is much smaller than a regular cigarette.
5. Vape can impair the functioning of the brain causing the person to make unsound decisions. People who use vape are more susceptible to adopting risky behaviour than people who smoke.
6. Vape causes sleeping disturbances and restlessness.

Study: "Changing Perceptions of Harm of e-Cigarette Use Among Adults" https://t.co/Jnhpe7LA8X

"Findings underscore the urgency to convey accurate risk information about e-cigarettes to the public, especially to adult smokers who … could benefit most by switching…"

— Timothy Caulfield (@CaulfieldTim) March 29, 2019

The Bottom Line

The results show that there is a decline in the perception that vapes are much safer. However, this is largely due to misinformation. Anything that surpasses its limit is always dangerous. Vape specifically mentions how much it should be used. Know those limits. Buy your vape accessories from a reputed seller and cut those nicotine juices. There are many nicotine-free juices available. If you knew how the tobacco industry operates, you will wonder why you started smoking for the first time. Educate yourself and make a sound decision regarding your smoking choices. After all, it is your decision. An informed decision will create an educated perception. A misinformed decision will do otherwise.