This may seem like a common sense Q&A. However, with the increasing popularity among younger employees you might want to arm yourself with solid stats and a good non-smoking educational program.

Part of the appeal is pod vapes look like a sleek high tech. Users try pod vapes because of the flavors. Problem is with every puff of flavor comes a high dose of nicotine. Some pod vapes have as much nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes. Nicotine damages blood vessels and increases the risk of heart disease. Nicotine also affects the development of brain circuits and may increase the risk of mood disorders and problems with impulse control.

Users report feeling hooked on nicotine within days. Once hooked, there is a greater risk of using regular cigarettes or other tobacco products. Vape devices are also being used to smoke marijuana, which can affect how the brain develops in teens.

Many e-liquids contain nicotine and e-cigarettes deliver nicotine directly to the lungs. Vapes don’t have tar and some of the other chemicals that regular cigarettes have, they do have toxins that can harm your health. Toxins found in vapes include heavy metals, diacetyl – a chemical that can cause serious lung disease when inhaled, ultrafine particles that can damage lungs, and chemicals known to cause cancer.

The FDA has not approved e-cigarettes as a tobacco quit aid. There are seven FDA-approved cessation aids and medications that are proven safe and effective. Three types of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) are available without a prescription: the patch, gun and lozenge. Two types of NRT are available with a prescription: the inhaler and nasal spray. There are two non-nicotine medications: Bupropion (Wellbutrin) and Varenicline (Chantix). None of the approved, regulated cessation aids deliver nicotine to the lungs.

Need help developing a cessation program? Tobacco Free Florida offers FREE nicotine replacement patches, gum or lozenges and FREE community, worksite, and clinic groups

 

Employee Benefit Advisors provides employee benefits, tax-advantaged healthcare, compliance guidance for ACA and Health & Welfare DOL Audits, and PEO Advisory & Consulting Services.