Vapes contain metals, which can take many years to decompose, and plastic, and plastic never fully decomposes. Rather than decomposing, plastic turns into “microplastics,” or tiny pieces of plastic, which continue to pollute the environment and our food and drinking water.
Vapes contain lithium-ion batteries which can cause fires if not recycled properly.
Add up how much you spend on cigs or vapes each week and then multiply that by 52. How much money could you save in a year if you didn’t smoke or vape?
Vaping, E-Cigarettes, E-cigs – know the facts
Vaping is meant to help people quit smoking. Young people are vaping who have never smoked before as they find their bright packaging and different flavours appealing.
The legal vaping age in the UK is 18. You must be 18 years of age to purchase e-cigarettes or e-liquids from any UK vape shop or online store.
Smoking cigarettes we know is harmful and is a leading cause of preventable death in the UK. Every minute somebody is admitted to hospital because of smoking. Stop Smoking services and NHS experts, say that “Vapes are safer than smoking, butonly safer when compared to smokingcigarettes” – so this does not mean vaping is safe and not much is known about the risks of vaping. Watch the video below…
The Evidencewe know about Vapes…
Non‐smoking young people who use vapes are three times more likely as non‐vapers to start smoking and become regular smokers (because Vapes have Nicotine in them).
Some vape liquids contain nicotine, even when they claim not to. Nicotine is very addictive.
Our brain develops up until we are 25 years old so using nicotine while your body and mind is developing can be harmful – cause poor mental health, affect growth, headaches and sleep problems.
Vaping and cigarettes can cause side effects – headaches, coughs, sore throats, dizziness, nausea. Also cause bad breath, ulcers, soreness and a dry mouth which may lead to tooth decay.
Vapes and cigarettes can be harmful to your lungs due to the chemicals in them which you are inhaling.
Graphic image of colourful vapes and saying No to a vape being offered.
The bottom line is – any unnatural substance you breathe in everyday is not going to be good for your health.
Things to be aware of…
Long term effects of vapes are unknown.
Dangerous illegal vapes are being sold on the high street which contain nicotine strength above 20mg/ml which is the UK legal limit.
The flavours in vapes are known to be safe to eat, but the impact of inhaling them in to the lungs is not known.
Some illegal vapes contain high levels of chemicals such as lead, nickel and chromium.
When you buy a vape check details for how to correctly dispose of it.
Tips for quitting vaping
Work out why you want to stop vaping.
Make a list somewhere of all the different reasons you want to stop and when it gets difficult or you want to try ‘just one puff’, remember to look at this list to remind you of all the reasons.
1. Decide the best way for you to quit
Reduce your frequency of vaping over time – Try going from every 30 minutes to every 1 hour and so on to ease your way off the habit.
Gradually reduce the strength of nicotine in your e-liquid.
2. Set rules – Go through the times and activities that most trigger your vaping. Work out how you can change your habits to avoid the triggering temptations. Decide places/times where you will try to avoid vaping. Such as only vape when in the garden and not on your daily walk home from school. This can help you to reduce how much you vape but also weakens the link between vaping/smoking in certain situations and times.
3. Visit your local Pharmacy or GP – If you prefer to stop vaping in one step, you can ask your pharmacist or GP for information.
For more information and help to quit vaping visit Feel Good Suffolk (Vaping info and resources are halfway down the page)
Tips for stopping smoking
Again work out the reasons why you want to stop to keep you motivated
Make a plan for how to reduce the amount you smoke – set your rules for quitting.
Stop smoking in one go – If you want to completely stop smoking and are over the age of 12, then speak to a pharmacist for advice. You can Order a free quit kit – (if you are 18+) through your local pharmacy to help increase your chances of quitting. Get some great tips to help you quit from the NHS website.
You’re more likely to stop smoking with the right support.
In 4 easy steps, the Personal Quit Plan tool from Better Health can help you quickly find the combination that’s right for you. Give up for 28 days, and you’re 5 times more likely to quit smoking for good!
Please note: Feel Good Suffolk are now providing local quit smoking services instead of One Life Suffolk which the tool directs you to.
