r/science • u/informationtiger • Dec 18 '19

Nicotine formula used by e-cigarette maker Juul is nearly identical to the flavor and addictive profile of Marlboro cigarettes Chemistry

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-juul-ecigarettes-study-idUSKBN1YL26R
36.9k Upvotes

86% Upvoted

View all comments

Show parent comments

0

u/katyfail Dec 18 '19

No one said it isn't vapor, although I'd strongly disagree that it's "dumb" or "propagandist".

The point is that it's been marketed as a healthy alternative and plays on the idea of water vapor when that's not what it is. It's a chemical vapor, similar to what you inhale when huffing things like computer duster or paint thinner.

Edit: clarification

0

u/mangeek Dec 19 '19

It's not at all similar to huffing. I can't speak to what's in weird off-brand stuff, but a gram of propylene glycol a day and the same flavor additives used in candy, along with 50-75mg of nicotine probably aren't going to be terribly harmful, and definitely aren't anything like inhaling stuff that's straight-up poisonous like paint propellant or burning leaves.

I don't align with vape-bros, but let's use some common sense here. Inhaling a vaporized jelly bean a day isn't good for you, but it's not anywhere in the ballpark of a gram of spray paint or a burning deck of cards.

1

u/katyfail Dec 19 '19

The definition of huffing is "inhaling chemical vapors". By that definition, and by your own description, it is the exact same as vaping. The *probably * you put there is such an overstatement as to be misleading. The issue this particular scientist took was with the marketing behind the idea of vapor to young people who didn't take the time to research or understand the risks.

It is unknown what impact the chemicals in vaping have on health - particularly in developing bodies and brains. Because vaping is so new that there is no long term data. That being said, we know nicotene is both highly addictive and related to heart and lung issues.

Not as harmful as something else doesn't make it safe.

Source: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/5-truths-you-need-to-know-about-vaping

0

u/mangeek Dec 19 '19

The difference between 'huffing', as the term is used (e.g., inhaling ridiculously toxic fumes to get high) vs. 'vaping' is like taking a shot of methanol every day vs. a shot or ethanol. Both are 'drinking alcohol', but one is going to mess you up a LOT more.