Based on research from Public Health England and other institutions, the current conclusion is that e-cigarettes are a healthier alternative to smoking and satisfy cravings. Customers around the globe share that viewpoint.
The reason is simple: vaping reduces the risk of illness, unlike the 7000 chemicals present in cigarettes. Not to mention, the majority of these substances damage the lungs and are carcinogenic.
However, there are several debates over how much nicotine is to blame for these issues. It’s a potentially addictive substance that both traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes utilize. Yet, there’s no consensus when it comes to its harmful effects.
Even official regulations prove inconclusive on the matter of vaping. For instance, the EU limits nicotine content in vape juice up to 20 mg/ml. On the other hand, most vape juice must have zero nicotine in Australia.
This debate is even farther from a resolution when it comes to the US. But, overall, expert opinions deduce that while vaping is preferable to smoking, it is still harmful.
So, nicotine-free puffs seem to be the healthier option overall to reduce high blood pressure, birth defects, and other health issues.
Why Vape Without Nicotine?
Addiction
Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that many young people consume. In fact, studies have proven that it is as addictive as alcohol.
The potential for addiction can be attributed to the feelings of euphoria and concentration the chemical evokes, whether you are getting it from cigarette smoking or an e-cigarette. Hence, nicotine is not the easiest thing to shake off.
Once made aware of the health consequences, many smokers want to quit but find it almost impossible to do so or to switch to nicotine-free vaping.
Nicotine patches have been used for decades to help people quit smoking by reducing the nicotine level in their bodies, but switching to e-cigarettes is a recent trend that shows promise. The shift involves moving from smoking cigarettes to vaping objects and then eventually going to nicotine-free vape juice.
However, many vapers end up intaking more of this chemical when vaping than they would in a traditional tobacco product. Therefore, to quit smoking, you should be closely monitoring your vape juices.
Non-Toxic
Nicotine is a natural toxin found in the tobacco plant, which people have used in tobacco cigarettes for centuries. Yet, this chemical in vaping products creates a significant risk of several health hazards because of its potentially harmful chemicals.
These toxic volatile organic chemicals can result in cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and respiratory disorders. Other effects of using an e-cigarette with nicotine include the dampening of immune response and potentially damaging the reproductive system in men and women.
So, it is best to switch to zero nicotine vaping. After all, it does not make much sense only to substitute your smoking habit. In practice, there isn’t that much of a difference between cigarettes and vapes with addictive chemicals anyways. Simply put, they’re both not good for you.
E-cigarettes without nicotine, however, are another story. Since they have zero nicotine, you are not willingly exposing your body to this harmful chemical.
The Root of the Problem
The main component in cigarettes that causes addiction is nicotine, not the other 7000 chemicals. This drug stimulates your nervous system to start craving more, making it hard to quit nicotine.
Hence, it would be meaningless to move from cigarettes to vaping nicotine e-juice because your addiction stays in full force. Instead, it’s much safer to transition towards zero nicotine vaping.
The ingredients in non-nicotine vape juice won’t pose the same side effects as those containing the drug. However, you might have noticed that even e-cig products without nicotine feature warning stamps and mention a potential tobacco content. Yet, one must understand that such is the current industry regulations.
So, to be sure you are consuming zero nicotine, look further into the ingredient list and then deduce whether the product is as advertised.
Pleasant Flavours
If you are a lover of strong flavors like myself, you will probably enjoy vaping zero nicotine juices. Nicotine is an odorless ingredient with a slightly harsh taste, so, as a result, the substance changes the overall taste of the product. Therefore, nicotine-free e-liquids allow you to savor the flavor without fearing the prickling hit associated with the drug.
Also, zero nicotine vaping allows you to truly taste delicious flavors, like apple, strawberry, watermelon, cherry, blueberry, chocolate menthol, and more. These flavored e-liquids satisfy the sweet tooth and are also great if you are a diabetic vaper.
Nicotine and Employment in the US
As discriminatory as it may seem, some employers will not hire you if you test positive on nicotine tests. Twenty-one states in the US allow employers to exclude smokers from their workforce.
For example, Uhaul, an Arizona-based moving company with about 30,000 employees, became the largest employer to stop hiring people with nicotine addictions. As of now, there’s no telling how many brands will follow suit.
Hence, you don’t want to be affected by this ban, especially if you don’t even smoke cigarettes. Also, even if you live and work in a state with no such regulation, it would be much wiser to anticipate this development.
So, you should stay on the safe side and avoid all forms of nicotine. You will only test positive if you consume the harmful substance, so stick with nicotine-free vape pens.
Save Some Bucks By Switching to Nicotine-Free Vapes
Zero nicotine vaping liquids are not popular because many ex-smokers continue their nicotine consumption. But if you are looking for a way to save some money, switching to electronic cigarettes without nicotine is the way to go.
Keep in mind that this transition does not need to be abrupt. You can start by diluting nicotine into your nicotine-free e-liquid, thus producing a mild concentration. Next, keep reducing the percentage until you finally break free from the addiction.
Does Nicotine-Free E-Liquid Have Side Effects?
Does this mean that vaping models free of nicotine are completely harmless? Well, not exactly. Generally, vaping liquids without nicotine is safer than the alternative. However, the potentially harmful health effects of vaping, regardless of its nicotine content, is an issue that needs further probing.
The consensus in the scientific community is that non-nicotine vapes are the lesser evil. However, in light of recent studies, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that vaping aerosol may contain: diacetyl, heavy metals (such as nickel), tin, and lead, to name a few.
In conclusion, vaping with non-nicotine e-liquid may still come with some short-term side effects.
You Might Vape More Than You Intended To
For one, vaping mods without nicotine make you vape more since you won’t experience fatigue. So, you’ll have to manage your habits prudently even if you’re vaping without nicotine.
Throat Hit
The throat hit is the tingling and burning sensation one experiences immediately upon vaping. However, nicotine is not the main culprit behind throat hits. Contrary to popular belief, many chemicals can cause these throat-hit feelings. For example, propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin can be the culprits, so you should look at the chemical risk assessment of the main components, propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin.
Inflammation
A 2018 study suggests that e-cigarette flavoring chemicals can harm the lungs, even if they do not contain nicotine or have low nicotine levels.
Scientists monitored the reactions of white blood cells when exposed to flavors of nicotine-free vapes. When examined, the vapor appeared to increase inflammatory and oxidative responses induced by vape chemicals. More surprisingly, this caused some of the cells to die. So, e-cigarette use can affect how your blood cells work and potentially compromise your immune system, among other health risks.
Toxicity
Aside from the aforementioned complications, nicotine-free vapes may contain other minor toxic chemicals that can potentially damage the cells. This content can cause lung diseases like fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and even asthma in the worst-case scenario.
So, according to academic research institutions, despite being relatively secure overall, nicotine-free vapes may damage the immune system.
Yet, according to one in-vitro study, lung cells die after exposure to these aerosols because they affect human alveolar macrophages. The potential for danger also spreads to the blood vessel cells.
These potential effects should not be taken lightly, especially concerning adolescent exposure. Such development, as outlined in the study, can lead to vascular diseases such as higher blood pressure, diabetes, and heart diseases.
The Bottom Line
As of today, there is still little research on vaping devices. Also, among the various vaping flavors, studies have shown that vanilla and cinnamon are the most potent.
It is a good idea for former smokers to start with nicotine vape juices to ease their withdrawal symptoms. Then, they can fight the addiction one step at a time using cessation devices like vapes so they can gradually decrease their nicotine level.
Eventually, it will be possible to switch to nicotine-free vapes, and finally, quit entirely. Though that solution isn’t 100% risk-free either, it’s much healthier in the long run.
Furthermore, since these vapes will not include an addictive ingredient like nicotine, it will be easy for you to quit the habit entirely when you decide to do so.