Public health student: Vaping is still smoking, so learn the risks and tell your doctor

You are completing check-in paperwork at the doctor’s office and one question asks if you are a smoker. While you don’t smoke cigarettes, you regularly use a vaping device — a vape — or you may smoke hookah.

So which option do you choose? Many people consider smokers as simply those who use traditional cigarettes. It is more common than you think for patients to state that they are not smokers if they do not smoke cigarettes (although they may consume tobacco or nicotine by other methods).

First of all, it is important to define what vapes are. Vapes are a type of electronic nicotine delivery system and are relatively new to the U.S. market. Also known as e-cigarettes, these devices were introduced to the United States in August 2006 as a complete substitute for regular cigarettes, with the potential to help adults quit smoking.

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While their rising popularity over the last couple of years fuels constant evolution and development, we simply do not know enough about long-term health effects and whether they are effective in helping smokers quit.

According to the CDC, electronic nicotine delivery systems are technically less harmful than traditional cigarettes but not without risks. These products still contain nicotine, which is highly addictive, harmful to brain development and associated with several other health issues. They can also lead to unintended injuries, such as fires due to defective batteries or poisoning to children or adults who come in contact with the liquid.

These devices are not created equal, and it is difficult for consumers to know what each product contains. Other than nicotine, vapes can contain cancer-causing chemicals that impact the lungs even if they do contain less quantities than what is found in traditional cigarettes.

Back to our original question: Should people who vape be considered smokers? The short answer is YES. Your doctor and care team need to know if you are now smoking or ever have smoked tobacco products, whether cigarettes, hookah, marijuana, vape, etc. They want to know whether it is occasional, just on holidays or every day.

This is because nicotine poses health risks and the potential for both short- and long-term health problems. If your doctor is unaware of your tobacco use, they may fail to identify an associated issue, which can ultimately impact your course of care.

So, tell the doctor if you’re a smoker, and let them help you achieve the best health outcome possible.

Kaila Lopez is a Jacksonville resident pursuing a master’s degree in public health from George Washington University.

This guest column is the opinion of the author(s) and does not necessarily represent the views of the Times-Union. We welcome a diversity of opinions.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Not enough known about long-term health effects of vaping