Quit Smoking Start Vaping

Quit Smoking, Start Vaping

Essa Ababseh

COM 170

April 7, 2014

Dr. Cheryl Hancock

Quit Smoking, Start Vaping

Smoking is a dangerous and disgusting habit that can kill people who smoke and even ones who do not. Cigarette smoking has resulted in approximately 443,000 deaths and $193 billion in direct health-care expenditures and productivity losses each year (CDC, 2013, p. 1). Quitting smoking is the only way to reduce these numbers. There are many different ways that a person can quit smoking, all somewhat successful. However, most smokers are stuck in a physical and psychological habit, and breaking the habit is the hardest thing to do. This habit is formed from an addiction to the drug, nicotine. Vaping, using a vaporizer or an electronic cigarette can be an easy way for a smoker to transition or even quit. Cigarettes contain many harmful chemicals, not to mention there are health risks involved, from cancer to heart disease and even death. Smoking cigarettes is a dangerous habit, and vaping can be a better option.

When looking at a cigarette, it does not seem like there are that many ingredients. There are approximately 600 ingredients in cigarettes, and when lit can create more than 7000 chemicals, and 69 of those are known to cause cancer (American Lung Association, 2014). Many of these chemicals are everyday items, from acetone, to lead, and ammonia. In its natural form, ammonia is found in water, soil, and air, and is a source of nitrogen for plants and animals. Ammonia for example, used in households and commercial buildings to clean, and exposure to high levels of ammonia can cause irritation and serious burns on the skin and in the mouth, throat, lungs, and eyes. Lead is found naturally in silver, copper, and zinc ore. Lead used in batteries, ammunition, and even x-ray shielding. Lead is devastating to the human body, inhibiting oxygen and calcium transport and altering nerve transmission in the brain (Natural Resource Defense...