(NC) Vaping is a new trend that more people are trying. According to a recent Health Canada Canadian Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey, 15 per cent of Canadians have tried a vaping product. But while vaping is less harmful for people who smoke when they switch completely to vaping products, it has several health risks to be aware of. Some of these include nicotine dependence, nicotine poisoning and injuries from device malfunctions.
Here are some tips to reduce these and other health risks:
- If you don’t smoke, don’t vape. Be mindful of nicotine. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance. Vaping with nicotine could lead to dependence and cause nicotine addiction in people who wouldn’t have started using nicotine otherwise. However, not all vaping liquids contain nicotine in the same quantities, or even at all. Children and youth may become dependent on nicotine with lower levels of exposure than adults, and as such are at much higher risk of dependency.
- Handle liquids safely. Vaping liquid containing nicotine is poisonous if swallowed or absorbed through the skin, particularly to young children. To reduce the risk of harm to kids and others, store liquids out of sight and reach of young children and pets. Keep vaping liquid in a cool, dry place where it cannot be confused for food, drinks, or medicine. To reduce the risk of harm to yourself and children, close the container securely after each use and wash your hands immediately after handling.
- Choose lower power products. Vaping substances have fewer and different chemicals than in tobacco products, but there are still health risks linked to the chemicals found in vaping products. Using vaping products with higher power and temperature settings can produce more harmful chemicals, so opt for lower power and temperature settings.
- Use batteries carefully. Lithium-ion batteries and vaping devices can pose a hazard if they are not properly used, stored, carried and charged. Buy batteries that are compatible with your device from a trusted source. Don’t carry lithium-ion batteries in your pocket or anywhere they can come into contact with loose coins, keys or other metal objects. Incidents associated with battery malfunction have caused serious injuries.
- Know what to do if there’s trouble. Even in small amounts, vaping liquid containing nicotine can be very harmful if swallowed or absorbed through the skin. If someone has swallowed vaping liquid, seek emergency medical attention or call 911 immediately. If you notice a safety problem with a vaping device or vaping liquid, report the problem to the manufacturer or retailer and Health Canada’s Consumer Product Safety Program.
Get the facts about vaping online at canada.ca/vaping.
