As 2025 begins, many people in Spain, including those in Ceuta, set new year's resolutions to change their habits and leave harmful practices behind. One such habit that has gained popularity in recent years is vaping, which many people mistakenly believe to be less harmful than smoking tobacco.
Vaping Risks and Misconceptions
Antoni Baena, an expert in tobacco addiction and professor at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), debunks the myth that vaping is less harmful than smoking. He explains, "There is no scientific basis to say that e-cigarettes are less harmful, for several reasons. Firstly, there are very few specific studies that assess the damage caused by vaping, and even fewer long-term studies, as it is a relatively recent phenomenon compared to tobacco consumption."
Baena highlights the risks associated with vaping, stating, "The main components of e-cigarettes are nicotine, a highly addictive substance; vaporization facilitators, such as polyethylene glycol, glycerol, or propylene glycol; food additives (E-1520, E-422, and E-1520) with unknown safe values after being heated and inhaled, producing formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein, known carcinogens and lung toxins; more than 15,500 flavorings that, when thermally decomposed, generate carcinogenic aldehydes; and menthol, which, in addition to being a flavoring, suppresses the cough reflex."
These ingredients not only make the vapor toxic for those who inhale it directly but also for those around them, known as passive vapers.
Alarming Prevalence Among Youth
Since 2005, two major anti-smoking laws in Spain have significantly reduced the number of smokers. However, in recent years, these figures have coexisted with those of e-cigarette consumers.
According to Baena, various surveys, such as the Estudes report (2023), Edades report (2022), and a study involving the UOC's Epi4health research group and the University of Manresa, indicate that 54.6% of students aged 14-18 have consumed e-cigarettes at some point. Among adults in Europe, there is a daily use prevalence of 2.4%, with 52.6% using both e-cigarettes and tobacco.
E-cigarettes are often considered a gateway to traditional smoking, especially among young people. Baena adds, "Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in developed countries, and vapers are its gateway, in addition to being harmful and delaying the abandonment of the habit."
Eight Steps to Successfully Quit Vaping
With the accumulating reasons to quit smoking or vaping, Baena outlines eight steps to ensure the process is successful:
- Have a clear motivation and objective for quitting: to improve health and avoid addiction.
- Set a start date and dispose of all vaping equipment.
- Identify moments, emotions, and situations that encouraged vaping and initially avoid them until they are under control.
- Seek professional help, primarily, or support from family and friends.
- Consult with a healthcare professional about using first-line treatments for tobacco cessation (pharmacological and psychological).
- Break routines and stay busy and distracted.
- Exercise to notice the physical improvements that quitting vaping or smoking brings to health.
- Congratulate yourself for the effort.
Baena summarizes the top five reasons to quit vaping: the direct, rapid, and clear impact on health; the presence of addictive nicotine in many liquids, even if not indicated; the unknown long-term impact of vaping; the growing ecological impact of e-cigarettes, especially with the emergence of disposable products; and the fact that they do not help quit smoking but rather encourage dual consumption.
As the vaping industry continues to evolve and more people seek alternatives to traditional smoking, it is crucial for consumers to be informed about the risks associated with e-cigarettes and to rely on scientifically proven methods when attempting to quit. By following the expert advice outlined by Professor Baena, those looking to leave vaping behind in 2025 can increase their chances of success and improve their overall health and well-being.
