You Can

Quit Vapes and Other Tobacco Products

Are There Safe Smoking & Tobacco Options?

No! There are two things we know for certain –no matter the delivery method, tobacco is always harmful, and nicotine is addictive!

Vaping devices are also known as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). They come in various forms, some look like regular cigarettes but they can also look like pens, flash drives or other common objects. They are battery operated aerosol devices that convert a chemical liquid – including high levels of nicotine – into a vapor. Most people think it’s just flavored water, but it doesn’t contain any water.

Vaping is not a safe substitute for cigarette smoking. Unlike the chemicals in cigarette smoke, the chemicals in the e-cigarette vapor — including nicotine — are absorbed directly into your bloodstream.

Smokeless tobacco products are made up of a blend of tobacco or entirely tobacco. These products are chewed, sucked or sniffed rather than smoked. This allows nicotine and other toxic chemicals to be absorbed through the tissues of the mouth or nose.

More Toxic Truth

Although vaping once had a reputation for being a safer alternative to cigarettes, a few factors may make it more dangerous than smoking, particularly for your heart.

  • Untested substances: Unlike the chemicals used in regular cigarettes, little research exists on the substances used in vaping devices. The link between the nicotine in vaping devices, heart attacks, and stroke is clear, but doctors don’t yet know how all the other substances in e-cigarettes can affect your body.
  • Unregulated contents: Nicotine and other dangerous chemicals found in vaping devices are largely unregulated, making it difficult to know exactly what users are inhaling. For example, a single e-cigarette cartridge may contain the same volume of nicotine that’s in one pack of cigarettes.
  • Secondhand smoke: Because e-cigarettes don’t emit the usual cloud of smoke, some users mistakenly believe vaping isn’t harmful to bystanders. Secondhand vaping has the same impact as secondhand cigarette smoke. It increases your blood clot risk and boosts your likelihood of developing coronary heart disease and stroke by 30%. However, you can’t see the smoke from many vaping devices, so it can be much harder to avoid breathing in the e-cigarette vapor.

If you, or someone you love, is ready to quit vaping—start by scheduling an appointment with your primary care provider. They can offer suggestions to help you transition off nicotine and the other harmful chemicals in e-cigarettes.

The Heart Connection

The risks that vaping has on the lungs is well-known, but using e-cigarettes also increases your chances of developing heart problems.

Most vaping devices contain nicotine – the most addictive drug in the world. When you take a puff, nicotine causes your arteries to stiffen and narrow. According to the American College of Cardiology, you’re 56% more likely to have a heart attack and 30% more likely to have a stroke. Vaping also boosts the plaque buildup in your arteries, leading to coronary artery disease.

Within minutes, vaping can cause additional problems for your heart, including:

Benefits of Quitting

When you quit vaping or stop using smokeless tobacco products, your body experiences several benefits almost immediately.

  • Within 20 minutes of quitting, your heart rate and blood pressure can drop to normal levels.
  • Within 8 hours of quitting, the amount of oxygen in your blood increases.
  • In roughly two weeks, you can expect your circulation to improve.
  • Within 1 year, your blood vessels will return to the way they were before you started vaping and your heart attack risk will drop by 50%.
  • After 5 years, the likelihood you’ll have a stroke drops considerably.
  • After 15 years, your risk of heart disease is approximately the same as someone who never vaped or smoked cigarettes.

Quitting tobacco is hard, but it’s definitely possible. Boost your chances of success by asking your primary care provider for help.

Tips to Help You Quit

Making the decision to quit vaping or using smokeless tobacco is hard – many people can encourage you to quit, but the decision to quit is yours. Just like giving up cigarettes, having a plan in place can help you successfully quit.

  • Choose a quit day. Once you’ve picked the day, place it on your calendar as a reminder of the promise to yourself to quit. Tell your friends, family and coworkers so they can support your efforts and help keep you motivated.
  • Select a method. You can stop immediately, gradually cut back or increase the amount of time between uses during the day.
  • Join a support group. You don’t have to do it alone! Find an evidence-based tobacco cessation program like the St. Elizabeth Freedom from Smoking program, to get the information, tools and support you need.
  • Know your triggers. Be prepared for temptations by recognizing the events, situations and emotions that may trigger the urge to use and plan ahead for them.
  • Discuss your plan with your doctor. Your doctor can recommend nicotine replacements or other treatment options to help.

Local & National Resources

What’s preventing you from ditching tobacco? All forms of tobacco, including vaping and secondhand smoke are harmful. Talk to your primary care provider about quitting.

A Man in a Yellow Jacket is Vaping with a Blue Vape Pen

Youth E-Cigarette and Vaping Education

St. Elizabeth is committed to combating the vaping epidemic through education and care. The St. Elizabeth Foundation Vision Campaign funds educational resources for teachers, students, and youth leaders in Northern Kentucky, Southeastern Indiana, and Greater Cincinnati.

Sadie the Science Lady

Sadie the Science Lady wants everyone to know the dangers of vaping. Enjoy and share these videos to help her get the word out. Click below to view all videos on YouTube and for access to downloadable video files and more resources.

You Can Be a Healthier You

Call Us

For more information about Take Time for Your Heart or other Heart & Vascular Prevention and Wellness services, call
(859) 301-WELL (9355) today.