Can E-Cigs Cause More Harm Than Good? Part II

Side effects are a major concern for those curious about making the switch from smoking to vaping. Since electronic cigarettes are part of a new and emerging industry, these types of concerns are only expected. Fortunately, we have some answers.

What Are the Side Effects of Vapor Cigarettes?

Major lifestyle changes usually come along with some form of side effect, be it positive or negative. Making the switch from smoking to vaping is no different. The good news is: The side effects of vapor cigarettes are easy to combat and usually subside once the e-cig user becomes accustomed to vaping. The even better news is the positive side effects vapers experience after fully making the switch. First, let’s take a look at some of the not-so-pleasant side effects:

Throat Irritation: New e-cig users may experience throat irritation when making the initial switch from smoking to vaping. There are a couple of culprits behind throat irritation from e-cigs, including nicotine content and vaping style, both of which can be identified with a little bit of fine tuning.

Coughing: With studies suggesting vaping is far less harmful than smoking, new vapers may be caught by surprise when the first few puffs from their e-cigs make them cough. Although this isn’t the most pleasant side effect, there is no need to sound off the alarms or give up on vaping altogether. Vaping is very different from smoking, and much like throat irritation, coughing will subside once the user’s body adjusts to inhaling vapor.

Flu Symptoms: If you’ve just started vaping and are experiencing side effects that make you wonder if you’re coming down with the flu: you are–but it’s a different kind of flu and is more of a side effect from quitting smoking, rather than vaping. If you experience a combination of side effects, such as a sore throat, coughing, flashes of hot and cold, and chest/sinus congestion, you’re most likely experiencing the “Smoker’s Flu”. The good news is: You don’t need to lock yourself away in a dark hole to avoid passing your symptoms along to others. The Smoker’s Flu is not contagious and symptoms usually disappear anywhere from a few days to a month, depending on your previous smoking habits.

Much like starting a round of antibiotics to combat an illness, you’re going to feel worse before you feel better when it comes to quitting smoking. Our advice: drink plenty of water and don’t give up on making the switch. Just ask any long-term White Cloud customers and they will tell you just how much better they started feeling after saying hello to vaping and goodbye to tobacco.

What’s the Bottom Line for Smokers?

Aside from the few minor side effects, studies on electronic cigarettes continue to point towards positive benefits of switching from smoking to vaping. Derek Yach, former head of tobacco control at the World Health Organization (WHO) and currently Executive Director of the Vitality Institute published an article in the Spectator (February 2015 issue) titled “E-Cigarettes Save Lives.” He bases his conclusions on years of working in the field of tobacco use reduction. He says that significant health benefits occur in smokers who switch from traditional tobacco cigarettes to electronic cigarettes.

Some political figures across the globe have also come out in favor of electronic cigarettes. In the UK, Prime Minister David Cameron released his official stance on e-cigs in 2015 with the statement, “I think we should be making clear that [e-cigs are] a very legitimate path for many people to improve their health and the health of the nation.” Over here in the US, Iowa’s Attorney General Tom Miller showed his support for e-cigs when he declared, “E-cigarettes are dramatically less harmful than combustible cigarettes” and “switching [to e-cigs] may save [smokers’] lives.”

While this is good news for the vaping industry, the battle against e-cigs still continues in the US as we await the final ruling of the FDA’s Deeming Regulations. Let’s all hope the trend of political leaders showing support for electronic cigarettes continues in the US so we can follow the lead of England in endorsing vaping as a viable alternative to smoking.