To ask if people think vaping is addictive

[Sarahcoggles]

Following a conversation with my DS age 12, I’m curious about what people think.

YABU - not it’s not addictive like cigarette smoking
YANBU - yes it’s as addictive as smoking

The reason I started this thread is because I was beginning to wonder if people didn’t know that nicotine was addictive, whatever form it was in. Many of my son’s contemporaries are vaping, and their parents aren’t bothered. These are people who would be livid if their kids smoked cigarettes, but aren’t bothered about vaping. Which led me to think that they may assume it’s no different from chewing gum!

And worryingly 3 of the people who have voted don’t think its addictive

At some point you have to just accept that most human beings find their addiction, often in our teens.

Smoking, drinking, exercise, violence (physical or gaming), gambling, god, food, fabric... whatever. We all have our self made crosses to bear.

What do you want 'those people' to do?

One of those 3 was me... Because your choices are limiting and it was the best I could do, knowing what I know.

I have vaped for almost 9 years now, I am addicted, and have no interest in stopping. I had a chest x ray last year, which showed my lungs were clear. I an an ex smoker and vaping was the only way I was able to give it up.

I think it's the habit of using the vape that's addictive rather than the substance. My FIL started vaping after finally stopping smoking (mega chain smoker). Hes puffing on the vape more than he ever puffed on a cigarette and he smoked huge amounts.

My SIL sits in my house and every few seconds she inhales the vape. When she smoked she would go outside to smoke every couple of hours or so.

I noted that everyone I know who vapes, seems to permanently have it in there hand. So the habit is addictive.

@Sarahcoggles

And worryingly 3 of the people who have voted don’t think its addictive

Well you haven't been clear about the content of the vape?

I mean, you can get nicotine free fluid for them, which wouldn't be as addictive.. but the habit in itself can be addictive, repetitive actions often are - lift to mouth, breathe in, release. It's a calming action, and the calm feeling will reinforce the addiction (even if simple breathing exercises would work just as well, without the vape).

I can understand why people would use vapes to stop smoking, as they're clearly better than cigarettes (no tar/bleach/whatever the hell else is in them) but there are still things in there that we really don't want in our lungs.. so the aim should be to come off them. But lots of people seem to use them as a fashion accessory, or even get one when they've never smoked. That's ridiculous.

@Nidan2Sandan

I think it's the habit of using the vape that's addictive rather than the substance. My FIL started vaping after finally stopping smoking (mega chain smoker). Hes puffing on the vape more than he ever puffed on a cigarette and he smoked huge amounts.

My SIL sits in my house and every few seconds she inhales the vape. When she smoked she would go outside to smoke every couple of hours or so.

I noted that everyone I know who vapes, seems to permanently have it in there hand. So the habit is addictive.

It's because of the way you get the hit

Cigarette - like vodka. Have a shot, done
Vape - like a beer. You'll still get drunk but you'll be drinking more liquid and over a longer period of time

It’s the nicotine that’s addictive, but you can get juices with no nicotine in, other than that is just a psychological addiction, a habit really. I wouldn’t recommend it to non smokers as it’s not completely harmless, but it’s a thousand times better for you than smoking, so is a great alternative.

If the vaping liquid includes nicotine then yes it has addictive potential. I do wonder about it’s effect on blood pressure too for those that seem to use them for long stretches as posed to smoking one cigarette then having a break before the next

@Gassylady

If the vaping liquid includes nicotine then yes it has addictive potential. I do wonder about it’s effect on blood pressure too for those that seem to use them for long stretches as posed to smoking one cigarette then having a break before the next

I vape, a lot. Used to smoke 30 a day BP at last check was 100/70 and I'm overweight

@Sarahcoggles

And worryingly 3 of the people who have voted don’t think its addictive

Not worrying at all. Not all vapes contain nicotine.

I voted yanbu because I assumed you were talking about ones with nicotine, but you haven't been clear on that.

Basically my right answer to your question is no, I don't think vaping is addictive. I think nicotine is addictive, so vaping liquids that contain nicotine will create a nicotine (not necessarily a vaping) addiction.

It is less addictive than smoking

In studies nicotine in isolation is quite bad at addicting animals. In tobacco however it is very effective.

As an ex smoker and current vaper I'd say it's more addictive than smoking. I never smoked in the house, and could limit cigarettes to between 1 and 10 a day, purely because sometimes I couldn't be bothered to go outside or I didn't want to stink of smoke. I vape constantly in the house now and I'm trying to give up. I also actually like vaping more than smoking because of all the flavours. I used to go through periods when I'd give up the fags, but I can't seem to do that with vaping.

Unless you're vaping 20mg salts then vaping is comparatively ineffective at delivering a dose you'd get from a cigarette, so you tend to hit them more often

Also the fact you can do inside rather than going out means you reach for it more often

@pawpaws2022 the comments from @nuffinimlazyatthemoment illustrate my concern. That vape users who seem to use it for large stretches of the day may be exposed to more nicotine effects than some smokers

I'd never advise a DC of 12 to start vaping( to fit in with peers perhaps)
As an ex smoker of 25 years though, I stopped painlessly by vaping then gradually reducing the nicotine content of liquid
If liquid contains nicotine, then yes it's addictive

@SamphiretheStickerist

At some point you have to just accept that most human beings find their addiction, often in our teens.

Smoking, drinking, exercise, violence (physical or gaming), gambling, god, food, fabric... whatever. We all have our self made crosses to bear.

What do you want 'those people' to do?

You haven’t understood my post. I’m not asking if it’s right or wrong, I’m not asking if people should or shouldn’t accept teen behaviour. I’m asking if people actually think that the nicotine in vaping is not addictive. Or if people maybe don’t realise that it’s the nicotine component of cigarettes that is addictive, rather than the cigarettes themselves.

I know nicotine is addictive, and in itself, nicotine isn't that bad. Provided you're an ex smoker really. For me it was carry on smoking 30 a day or use some other form of nicotine to give up the cigs

Yes they're addictive but you can gradually wean down the amount of nicotine in the vape juice you use unlike with fags. I still vape but there's no nicotine anymore I still need the hand to mouth action for now.

@Punilux

It's as addictive as NRT products ie. hardly at all. It's nicotine combined with chemicals in tobacco smoke that boosts the addictiveness of cigarettes. These chemicals are absent in vapour products.

This isn't true. Unlike NRT products, it still provides a 'hit' in the way cigarettes do. I actually became more addicted after switching to them, as there was more opportunity for use, and so my brain got used to getting the hit more frequently. I finally managed to give up when the pandemic hit, and I made the firm decision to do cease risking my lungs with it.

I stopped smoking because I couldn't smoke during pregnancy as the smell made me sick. Then I took up on Iqos (heated tobacco) which is worse and then I went onto vaping. I use 3 mg and the aim is to gradually go down and give up completely because it's starting to annoy me with the constant bits and pieces I need to replace and the fact that I can vape in places I never would have smoked in which means I literally have it in my hand all the time. It is basically like my adult dummy where I find comfort in it. I've vaped in so many places you wouldn't believe and would probably rip me to shreds if I told you