Thoracic surgeon Dr. Michaela Straznicka MD, FACS, from BASS Medical Group discusses the addiction to nicotine and the use of vaping as an alternative to smoking. While vaping provides nicotine without the harmful effects of smoke, it still contains chemicals that can negatively impact the lungs. The long-term effects of vaping are still not well understood, but it’s important to consider the potential risks.
For most patients who smoke, the addiction is to nicotine. Nicotine is a chemical that binds to receptors in the brain, creating a sense of euphoria when a person smokes a cigarette. The idea behind vaping is to provide the same dose of nicotine to the brain—producing the same euphoric effect—without the harmful effects of cigarette smoke. However, vaping solutions still contain chemicals that may negatively impact lung health. There have not been enough long-term studies to determine whether vaping carries the same cancer risk as cigarettes. While it may reduce exposure to some harmful substances found in traditional smoking, vaping comes with its own risks, and the long-term effects are still uncertain. Ultimately, there is no clear answer as to whether vaping is better or worse than cigarettes in both the short and long term. My name is Michaela Straznicka, and I am a proud member of the BASS Medical Group.
