Texas Tech University

RISE Blog | Flavored Air or Safety Hazard?

By: Larissa Castaneda Vargas, Peer Educator
December 1st, 2023

TW: This article contains information about addiction and substance abuse. 

Do you notice how vaping seems to be everywhere, and when someone loses their vape they desperately tear apart their room searching for it like their life depends on it? If yes, you're not the only one. The seemingly harmless fruity-flavored buzz that comes from nicotine has become incredibly popular among college students. College—and let's face it—life in general causes a lot of daily stress. Vaping seems like a great outlet for that stress with a small buzz of relief and enticing flavors, but that temporary relief can lead to more stress from health concerns later. There are reasons for the sudden boom in vaping popularity, why students choose to vape, and how the contents in each vape can be harmful. This blog is meant to help educate and provide harm-reduction tips if you or someone you know is vaping.

RIP Cigarettes

E-cigarettes caused a decline in the popularity of standard cigarettes. Fruity flavors and smoke tricks have grown popular amongst the college-age population. E-cigs further grew in status as they were advertised as less harmful. Standard cigs have over 7,000 harmful chemicals in their composition, so there is some truth that E-cigs are a little safer. But are E-cigs really the better alternative? While 60.3% of TTU students have reported that they've never used nicotine products, there is still a large part of the community who has tried or currently use nicotine products. You may be wondering, with the risk that E-cigs pose, why do students use nicotine products?

Why Smoke?

While there are plenty of reasons why a student might choose E-cigs over standard cigarettes, the Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF, 2023), groups them into 7 main reasons:

  • Help reduce or quit smoking cigarettes.
  • The belief that they are less harmful than traditional cigarettes.
  • They can be cheaper.
  • Taste better.
  • You can vape in places where traditional cigarettes are banned.
  • Vapes are seen as more acceptable.
  • People are curious about it.

Did you know 63% of students who use e-cigs are unaware that they contain nicotine? This means that people may be unaware of risks and other chemicals in E-cigs. 

What is in the Pod/Cart?

Pods/carts contain a multitude of chemicals that can cause long and short-term impacts on your physical and mental health. Here are a few of those chemicals commonly in vapes and what they do.

  • Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that is absorbed into your bloodstream and goes to your adrenal glands, which release adrenaline, that gives that nice feeling aka the buzz people feel when vaping.
  • Propylene glycol is used to make antifreeze, paint solvent, and artificial smoke in fog machines.
  • Acetaldehyde and formaldehyde are carcinogens which are substances known to cause cancer.
  • Diacetyl is a chemical linked to a lung disease called bronchiolitis obliterans aka “popcorn lung.”
  • Nickel, tin, and lead are heavy metals.
  • Benzene is a volatile organic compound (VOC) found in car exhaust.
  • Cadmium is a toxic metal found in traditional cigarettes that causes breathing problems and disease.
  • Ultra-fine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs are also found in pods/carts.

The chemicals in pods/carts may be shocking as vapes are often known as a safer alternative to smoking. This normalization makes it easy to feel pressured into trying E-cigs and has a higher risk of leading to substance abuse. If you are already struggling with substance abuse and looking to put vape down, there are resources and support for you. Quitting can feel stressful and is notoriously difficult. However, the journey to lessen your risk, whether that's cutting back or abstaining, can come with a lot of empowerment for yourself, and to potentially help others. 

I Quit! Now What?

So, what can you expect if you quit vaping? Since nicotine is a highly addictive substance, when you quit your body experiences what's called withdrawal. In this period there are physical symptoms of the absence of nicotine. Some of the symptoms include nicotine cravings, frustration, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, and restlessness. To quit you need to be aware that your body will need time to readjust to that change, and that it can be frustrating at times but with the right resources and support, you've got this! 

Harm Reduction 101

Harm reduction aims to lessen the risk associated with substance use. Here are tips to overcome the withdrawal symptoms of nicotine. 

  • Try nicotine replacement products such as some skin patches and lozenges.
  • Ask your doctor for nicotine-free prescription medication.
  • Remind yourself that the cravings will pass.
  • Try chewing gum, and eating carrots, pickles, or apples. Keeping your mouth busy may stop the psychological need to smoke.
  • Consider breathing exercises.
  • Explore our campus resources! Raider Restart/Recharge, the Student Mental Health Community (SMHC), and the Center for Collegiate Recovery Communities (CCRC), resources are available to all students and provide support in welcoming, non-judgmental spaces. 

Helping Others

Vaping has become a normalized practice and a routine for many people. Learning about the chemicals that go into pods and carts is only one part of what we want to pass on. If you're concerned about a friend who seems like they can't live without their vape, take a step back and think of how you could provide support to that person. It's their choice to quit or not, but providing a safe place for them can be helpful in ways that go beyond substance use. We are here for you!

Resources

References

Alcohol and Drug Foundation. (2023). Vaping (e-cigarettes). 

National Institutes of Health. (2022.) Mind matters: The body's response to nicotine, tobacco and vaping.  

National Cancer Institute. (2022). Tips for coping with nicotine withdrawal and triggers. 

RISE Risk Intervention & Safety Education. (2023) Drug Education. Texas Tech University.

RISE. 2022. American College Health Association Report. 

 

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