Vaping as opposed to cigarettes?

Miss.LeoRN · Jun 30, 2014

I really don't know much on this, and while I can't say vaping is "better" it certainly isn't worse. I imagine it's much like hookah? The issues I have seen (random news articles) involve reports of people who really do it obsessively (or maybe just wrong) ending up going to the Dr with chest pain and finding water in their lungs, and also that the amount of nicotine in the product used to vap isn't regulated or standard, so people are vapping more nicotine than they would by smoking. A lot more. I believe an article said it could be as high as an entire pack in one "dose".

I'd have to dig for articles but I could possibly find them again if you like.

Carpediem1012, BSN, RN · Jun 30, 2014

Thanks. I appreciate the input. There was even a nurse vaping on the unit. I guess I should have asked her. It was bizarre to see. But if if helps people quit smoking.... I'm just I easy about he lack of documented studies in recommending it.

DisneyNurseGal, BSN, RN · Jun 30, 2014

Our hospital's position is no they are not better, because while they solve the problem of some toxins, they aren't toxin free. Also they still contain the nicotine, so they are not addressing the addiction issues.

Carpediem1012, BSN, RN · Jun 30, 2014

Thanks. I appreciate the input. That would would be great. There was even a nurse vaping on the unit. I guess I should have asked her. It was bizarre to see. But if if helps people quit smoking.... I'm just uneasy about the lack of documented studies in recommending it.

Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN · Jun 30, 2014

The hospital for which I work treats electronic cigarettes as if they were real cigarettes; which means they are not allowed to be used in or around the hospital campus.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/311887/Ecigarettes_report.pdf

while the link above is from the UK it does offer insight into some of the benefits and drawbacks of electronic cigarettes.

When I educate patients on the steps and importance of smoking cessation I mention that electronic cigarettes are not often a bridge to cessation as they do not gradually reduce the craving for nicotine and the nicotine content on the cartridges are not always accurate or even regulated.

RunBabyRN · Jun 30, 2014

It's kind of like beer versus light beer. Still beer, but maybe a hair "better." If it truly works as a stepping stone, yay, but there are other tools out there as well. I wouldn't recommend it to patients or friends.

I think it's too new for there to be any good reliable research on the subject. Could be in the works, but regardless of the outcome, there probably haven't been any good studies yet. I'm with you, though- the lack of evidence makes me leery.

panic36 · Jun 30, 2014

As someone who has been smoking like practically 20 years now, I am going to really vounch for ecigs. I finally made the switch a year ago, and within a month I saw several positive things. I could breath deeper, I could run again without feeling completely winded, and now that a year goes by, I am still vape, and I feel so much better than I did before. A lot of people will say that enough research hasn't been done to verify it, and perhaps thats true, but I don't see it being any worse than real cigs. So I support the vape movement.

Oh, and I agree with the vape laws. Your lungs don't absorb everything and you exhale, so you could pass chemicals on from your exhale. No one should be subject to this, so when I vape I always am very polite about it and walk away from groups or people to use it, unless they are friends and I know for a fact that it doesn't bother them. But I also did this years back before all the laws as I never wanted to force people to have to deal with my smoke... It's just rude.

panic36 · Jun 30, 2014

Our hospital's position is no they are not better, because while they solve the problem of some toxins, they aren't toxin free. Also they still contain the nicotine, so they are not addressing the addiction issues.

You are right on some aspects, but an average smoker would start with a 12mg-18mg nictone content ejuice to be compatible with a pack a day smoker. Most people I know are down to 3mg-6mg within a year. Also, I'm now down to 0mg, so my vape includes no nicotine, and just is utilized for my oral fixation.

Also, Gums and Patches also contain nicotine, so by your advice the only real route to go is cold turkey. I'd find it easier to slowly lower the dose on an ecig than tell them to quit cold turkey. :S

Glycerine82, LPN · Jun 30, 2014

I started vaping a few years back, before anyone knew about it. The ingredients are propalene (sp?) glycol, veg. glycerin, flavor and nicotine. I asked our pulmonologist about it and he was all for it. It is certainly not as good as quitting all together, but IMO it is FAR better than smoking. They even have e-liquid that comes without nicotine.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 30, 2014

Thanks. I appreciate the input. That would would be great. There was even a nurse vaping on the unit. I guess I should have asked her. It was bizarre to see. But if if helps people quit smoking.... I'm just uneasy about the lack of documented studies in recommending it.

Why.....in heavens name was she vaping ON THE UNIT?????

DisneyNurseGal, BSN, RN · Jun 30, 2014

You are right on some aspects, but an average smoker would start with a 12mg-18mg nictone content ejuice to be compatible with a pack a day smoker. Most people I know are down to 3mg-6mg within a year. Also, I'm now down to 0mg, so my vape includes no nicotine, and just is utilized for my oral fixation.
Also, Gums and Patches also contain nicotine, so by your advice the only real route to go is cold turkey. I'd find it easier to slowly lower the dose on an ecig than tell them to quit cold turkey. :S

I did not say that this was MY advice/opinion, I said it was the opinion of the hospital I work for.