The chemicals found in smoke-free products are 95% less dangerous than cigarette smoke. The government has exerted serious efforts in its attempt to make people quit smoking. These efforts can be seen in measures like increasing tobacco taxes, cigarette prices, banning advertising, and the use of graphic warnings. However, people are still smoking, and others are starting the habit.
Most health authorities have recommended Nicotine Replacement Therapy products as a method for quitting smoking. It is a smoking cessation method or aide that supplies nicotine to the body via patches, chewing gum, inhalers, tablets, and sprays. These products do not have harmful chemicals like tar that are found in traditional cigarettes. They help in relieving the physical withdrawal symptoms of smoking.
Although research and scientific tests have shown that these products can help an individual quit smoking, they don’t work for every smoker. Addiction is generally complex, with psychological reasons to be addressed when dealing with it. Individuals that are unable to quit smoking using these products are turning to some innovative alternatives, particularly vape pens (https://vapingdaily.com/best-vape-pens/).
The current market has several cigarette alternatives whose harmful chemicals are significantly fewer than those of cigarette smoke. Nevertheless, these products are relatively new. As such, more research is required to determine their safety while raising awareness about them. Here are some of the alternatives that people are using to stop smoking.
E-Cigarettes
An electronic cigarette is battery powered, handheld vaporizer, or device that works by stimulating smoking while providing the behavioral smoking aspects like the hand-to-mouth action. However, this device does not burn tobacco. Instead of producing smoke, e-cigarettes produce the vapor that is inhaled by the user.
E-cigarettes are lightweight, and they mimic traditional cigarettes. They come with a cartridge or atomizer and a lithium-ion battery. The cartridge holds an e-liquid that is absorbed by the coil to create the vapor inhaled via the mouthpiece.
The harm caused by e-cigarettes is lower than that of regular cigarettes. They also provide the nicotine fix that a person that is trying to quit needs. However, e-cigarettes are not entirely harmless. Since they are relatively new, more research is needed to determine the effects of their long-term use.
Smoking Cessation Programs
Smoking cessation programs can include therapies like acupuncture, behavioral counseling, and hypnotherapy. Addiction to tobacco smoke is not a simple physical need. It’s a psychological issue.
Therefore, programs that involve therapies like laser acupuncture can help individuals quit smoking. Hypnotherapy has also shown the potential to help smokers quit the habit. Nevertheless, the results of different trials have always been different.
Vaping
Almost every smoker wants to have the best vape pen in the market. It can be attributed to the rising popularity of vaping. Although electronic cigarettes are considered the original products, vape mods and pens are preferred by advanced users. That’s because their battery power is twice that of e-cigarettes. They also have a bigger tank. That means a person can use the device longer without charging its battery or refilling.
With vaping devices, a flavored liquid that has the nicotine is heated to produce vapor clouds. The smell of the vapor correlates to its specific flavor. And though the harm caused by vaping is lower to that of traditional smoking, the habit is not completely harmless.
Media headlines continue to depict vaping as a less harmful alternative to smoking. According to Public Health England, vaping is less harmful than regular tobacco by up to 95%. What’s more, vaping can help more individuals quit smoking.
So, if you’re struggling to stop smoking and other methods aren’t working for you, it might be a good idea to try vaping.
Tobacco-Heating Devices
Tobacco-heating devices are a relatively new entrant in the market. Examples of these devices include the Glo from the British American Tobacco, IQOS from Philip Morris, and Ploom Tech from Japan Tobacco. These are smoke-free products.
These products may resemble e-cigarettes or the best vape pens. However, they don’t vaporize a liquid containing nicotine. Instead, these devices vaporize tobacco. Ploom Tech does not heat the tobacco rolls directly the way Glo and IQOS do. Instead, this device generates the vapor that is channeled via a tobacco-packed capsule.
With regular cigarettes, tobacco is burned at high temperatures to generate smoke that has harmful chemicals. But, with these devices, tobacco sticks are heated at low temperatures. Thus, these devices give users tobacco taste without exposing them to toxic chemicals or carcinogens. This smoking alternative does not eliminate all harmful chemicals. Nevertheless, it reduces exposure to most of them significantly.
Switching from smoking to using tobacco heating devices can reduce the harm caused by tobacco in comparison to traditional smoking. The United States Food and Drug Administration has even authorized IQOS sales in the U.S. The basis of this decision was scientific data’s assessment that made the device qualify for purchase.
Herbal Cigarettes
Herbal cigarettes do not contain nicotine or tobacco. Instead, they contain flowers and herbs like corn silk, passionflower, ginseng, and rose petals. These products are not addictive. As such, they are seen as a smoking cessation aid.
But, unlike a vape pen or any other smoking alternative, herbal cigarettes produce carbon monoxide, tar, and other toxic chemicals when burned. Thus, though less harmful when compared to regular cigarettes, herbal cigarettes still have a warning label. And, they should not be considered as long-term cigarette smoking alternatives.
The Bottom Line
People are using different alternatives in their efforts to quit smoking. But, whether a person chooses the best vape pen for e-liquid or a smoking cessation program, the best choice should enhance harm reduction. Some of these alternatives, like vaping, look attractive even to non-smokers. And, though these alternatives depict innovative technology for harm reduction, they are tobacco products. Therefore, they should be restricted to people that have attained the legal age. It’s also essential for people that are not smokers yet to avoid trying traditional smoking or these alternatives. That’s because once nicotine addiction sets in, quitting can be a real challenge. The addictive nature of nicotine is the reason why many people are struggling to leave, with some exploring all the alternatives available.