THE ROOT CAUSE OF E-CIGARETTE ADDICTION
An anonymous person once said, "Cigarettes are killers that travel in packs”. Because of this, we are proposing an invention, which is the e-cigarettes. Electronic cigarettes, often known as vapes or ecigarettes, are widely regarded as a risk-free substitute for regular cigarettes. As stated by an article from WebMD.com, this may not be the case, however, given that a recent study from the US surgeon general referred to e-cigarette use as "a significant public health risk." According to the FDA, the use of e-cigarettes among high school kids surged alarmingly by 900% between 2011 and 2015, with a 78% increase in usage in just one year. What precisely is a vape? An e-cigarette isn't lit; instead, it's powered by a rechargeable battery. As a user inhales, the "e-liquid" is vaporized in a heat exchanger, as opposed to being burned like tobacco. They may be advertised on TV and come in flavors like cherry, bubble gum, and cotton candy, thus making them more appealing. The changeable liquid cartridge includes chemicals and flavorings, in addition to nicotine dissolved in a base (often propylene glycol). LED lights are frequently used in the tip to mimic the glow of a cigarette in use. But why are so many people, particularly teenagers, addicted to vaping although it poses a risk to one’s health? It's due to its attractive appearance, nicotine's effects, and people's emotional need for it. A vape's design is trendy and appealing, with all the LED lights, and an upfront shape that resembles an accessory, some versions also have adorable shapes that can imitate objects and their various artificial flavorings, which thrill young people. Another is that a vape still contains nicotine, and nicotine can play a significant role in why so many individuals become hooked on vaping. In just 10 seconds after being inhaled, nicotine enters the bloodstream and begins to have an impact on the brain. An article from cnet.com elaborated that Acetylcholine (ACh), a neurotransmitter (chemical communicator), and the receptors to which it binds normally have a connection that is disturbed by nicotine. ACh plays a significant part in muscular contraction, memory, cognition, and other processes without that interruption. Instead of ACh, nicotine binds to ACh receptors, starting a series of chemical processes that produce momentary pleasurable feelings. These feelings include pleasure, calmness, attention or focus, and relaxation. But, those feelings are fleeting and normally fade away within a few minutes since your body eliminates nicotine so quickly; two hours after ingestion, around half of it, will be gone. Even though they know it's dangerous for their health, e-cigarette users can't quit vaping because they always yearn for that sensation. In addition, humans are also emotional beings. For instance, if you relate chocolate to joy and solace, there's a significant likelihood that you'll utilize it as a comfort food when you're feeling depressed. As a result, you become more and more dependent on chocolate to encourage the release of feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin in your body. E-cigarettes work the same way. If you use e-cigarettes as a coping technique and they help you feel better when you're unhappy or experiencing negative feelings, you'll start to reach for your e-cigarette whenever you experience these negative emotions. As a result of these three factors, people become addicted to e-cigarettes, but it's important to remember that even though they are safer than traditional cigarettes, they are not completely risk-free. This is because nicotine has been shown to interfere with brain development and because the developing brain is particularly susceptible to the negative effects of nicotine. Therefore, be cautious and make it a point to be wellinformed before deciding on using a specific product.
References
WebMD.com cnet.com
-oOoThe author is Science Teacher III Nicanor David Vergara High School