Q&A of the Day –Is Vaping more addictive than traditional cigarette smoking? - Part 1
Each day I’ll feature a listener question that’s been submitted by one of these methods.
Email: brianmudd@iheartmedia.com
Twitter: @brianmuddradio
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Today’s entry...
Hello Mr. Mudd…
I heard you on the radio this A.M. regarding vaping…one thing I do not think people consider and might be a partial explanation as to why vaping is so “invasive”…Smoke is “dry”….Vapor is moist. Like drenching your lunch tissue and bringing about COPD, water on the lungs, etc.
So,kids need to understand they are either “smoking” their lungs or “marinating” them, which I think accelerates the problems. Faster addiction.
Bottom Line: It might be your opinion, but it has the potential to be factual as well. The question you’ve raised about the delivery of nicotine through smoke, as compared to vapor, is being studied right now. What is known is why vapes are proving to be more addictive, than even smoking traditional cigarette – which is already extremely addictive. The effects of Nicotine are completely realized within 10 minutes, meaning that it’s typical to desire more as regularly as every ten minutes. That’s why nicotine is rated as the third most addictive drug.
We had numerous studies on the addictiveness of drugs, some are ongoing, but the “gold standard” remains a 2007 study published in the medical journal, The Lancet, led by Dr. David Nutt. They studied the degree of dependence, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms to determine the order. This was the result:
- #1: Heroin
- #2: Cocaine
- #3: Nicotine
- #4: Meth
- #5: Barbiturates
Nicotine is easily the most addictive substance that’s legal. It speaks volumes when it measures as being more additive than meth! But again, back to my earlier note. When nicotine produces a desired effect, nearly immediately and then runs its course in about ten minutes, the body is both physically and mentally desirous of continuing the process. I’ve never smoked anything, so I have no personal frame of reference, but my vice is caffeine. That caffeine isn’t even in the conversation with nicotine in terms of addictiveness, also speaks volumes. Ashley will tell you I’m not even human until I’ve had my first cup of coffee. In part two, I’ll explain what specifically appears to be driving the added addiction of vaping compared to smoking traditional cigarettes.