Vaping FAQs

what is research on vaping really proven

by Lonie Keeling Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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10 Pro-Vaping Studies Every Vaping Advocate Needs To Read

  • 1) Vaping is 95% Safer Than Smoking ...
  • 2) Vaping is NOT A Gateway Drug To Smoking ...
  • 3) Vapor Has Far Fewer Toxins Than Smoke ...
  • 4) Contrary To The FDA’s Claims, Sweet Flavors Are NOT Aimed At Kids ...
  • 5) Vapor Does NOT Contain Formaldehyde ...
  • 6) Nicotine is NOT As Addictive As It’s Made Out To Be ...
  • 7) Vaping Improves Lung Function of Long-Time Smokers ...

Full Answer

How much research has been done on vaping?

There are at least two dozen new studies on vaping and nicotine published every week. Many of them are about vaping and health. They range from medical studies on vaping health risks to analysis of e-liquid or vapor constituents to research on vaping and nicotine addiction.

What does the science say about vaping?

“Harmless vaping” is a wrong concept, science found. Since most e-liquids contain nicotine, they damage a vaper’s heart and lungs gradually. Nicotine is always harmful, no matter which form you are consuming. When nicotine is absorbed in our body with vaping, it raises our blood pressure and heart rate.

Is vaping actually safer than smoking?

Neither smoking nor vaping is beneficial to human health. Based on the available evidence, smoking appears to be more harmful than vaping. However, this does not mean that vaping is safe. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, vaping may be slightly less harmful than smoking.

Why vaping is bad facts?

Vaping is not only bad for lung health, but it also causes problems for the teeth and gums as well. One study conducted in 2018 showed that several e-juices caused bacterial growth on the teeth, which led to users developing cavities.

How many people died from vaping in 2020?

Why are e-cigarettes so popular?

How many chemicals are in e-cigarettes?

Is nicotine a substance?

Can you use THC in a vape?

Is e-cigarettes as addictive as heroin?

Is e-cigarette smoking more popular among youth?

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What are the proven effects of vaping?

2: Research suggests vaping is bad for your heart and lungs. It causes you to crave a smoke and suffer withdrawal symptoms if you ignore the craving. Nicotine is a toxic substance. It raises your blood pressure and spikes your adrenaline, which increases your heart rate and the likelihood of having a heart attack.

What is the truth about vaping?

About E-Cigarettes Other names for these deadly tools include e-hookahs, mods, vape pens, and juuls. These battery-operated devices are not risk-free and are highly addictive. They can harm brain development in adolescents, lead to future addictions, and increase the risk of developing lung issues.

Does vaping permanently damage your lungs?

Breathing in the harmful chemicals from vaping products can cause irreversible (cannot be cured) lung damage, lung disease and, in some cases, death. Some chemicals in vaping products can also cause cardiovascular disease and biological changes that are associated with cancer development.

Does vaping really help?

For example, an analysis of 61 studies found that e-cigarette use was more effective than other approaches to quitting smoking. The study authors estimated that out of every 100 people who tried to quit smoking by vaping, nine to 14 might be successful.

How do lungs heal from vaping?

However, there are certain lifestyle behaviors you can practice to try and accelerate the rate at which your lungs heal.Drink Lots Of Water. ... Eat Healthy Foods. ... Exercise Regularly. ... Cough. ... Clean Your Living Space. ... Practice Deep Breathing. ... Try Steam Therapy.

Are e-cigarettes safer than cigarettes?

Are e-cigarettes less harmful than regular cigarettes? Yes—but that doesn't mean e-cigarettes are safe. E-cigarette aerosol generally contains fewer toxic chemicals than the deadly mix of 7,000 chemicals in smoke from regular cigarettes. However, e-cigarette aerosol is not harmless.

What is the safest vape to use?

If you are looking for the safest vape kit then you might want to consider disposables or pod kits. These are often low powered and have safety cuts offs as well as other features to prevent them from overheating. Not only as disposables one of the safest vape kits, but they are also super easy to use.

Is it OK to vape occasionally?

Know the Risks of Smoking and Vaping: Smoking and vaping, even in small amounts or only sometimes, can be harmful to your health while also increasing your chances of becoming addicted. Even if you're only smoking or vaping sometimes, the effects can be just as risky to your health as a daily smoking habit.

How long after vaping do lungs heal?

After two weeks: your circulation and lung function begin to improve. After one to nine months: clear and deeper breathing gradually returns; you have less coughing and shortness of breath; you regain the ability to cough productively instead of hacking, which cleans your lungs and reduce your risk of infection.

Why is vaping worse than smoking?

A: Overall, there's not much difference between smoking and vaping. Commonly, smoking was thought to be more harmful because the product is being burnt and smoke inhaled into the lungs. But we're finding very similar damage from heating up vaping solutions and inhaling that vapor into the lungs.

Should I smoke or vape?

Vaping is less harmful and cheaper than smoking, and can have a similar feel. Smoking is bad for your health as the toxins produced by burning tobacco cause smoking-related illnesses. The majority of health benefits are seen when you stop smoking completely.

How many vape puffs equals a cigarette?

10 puffsTypically, manufacturers advise that 10 puffs on your vape are about the same as 10 puffs on your cigarette. They further speculate that 10 puffs are all you take on one cigarette. Of course, this varies based on how big your puffs are, how strong your vape device is, and how much nicotine you are using.

What are 5 negative effects of vaping?

Vaping has been linked to lung injury.Rapid onset of coughing.Breathing difficulties.Weight loss.Nausea and vomiting.Diarrhea.

What are 10 risks of vaping?

Serious & Potentially Long-Term Effects of VapingNicotine addiction.Severe lung injury.Seizures.Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP), formerly known as idiopathic bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia (BOOP)Popcorn lung.Strokes.Heart attacks.

What is the safest vape to use?

If you are looking for the safest vape kit then you might want to consider disposables or pod kits. These are often low powered and have safety cuts offs as well as other features to prevent them from overheating. Not only as disposables one of the safest vape kits, but they are also super easy to use.

Is vaping or smoking worse for your heart?

Andrew Sauer, Cardiologist and Director of the Heart Failure Program at The University of Kansas Medical Center. "Vaping creates toxicity, inflammation, and stress on the arteries of the heart that appear to be worse than smoking tobacco."

Doctor's warning about dangers of vaping - Mayo Clinic Health System

For the safety of our patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was either recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in a non-patient care area where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.

Why is vaping so successful?

Vaping is more success full than other methods because it also mimics (mimics, not reality) other parts of the smoking "experience.". You're inhaling. It has a flavor. It produces what looks like, but isn't, smoke.

Is it safe to smoke e-cigs?

No, e-cigs are not 100% harmless. But they are far safer than the cigarettes, with the hundreds of chemicals inhaled with each draw on them, many of them known carcinogens, that we used to inhale. Nor is there much of anything harmful for those around them. Whatever droplets there are fall to the much faster.

Is vaping safe for 2021?

By Cameron English — May 25, 2021. Despite increasing evidence that vaping is safer than smoking, uncertainty surrounds the long-term effects of electronic cigarette use. Many in the tobacco control field have used the lack of data to speculate about these unknown risks.

Is vaping bad for you?

After contrasting the overall risk of vaping with smoking, Barton added that some preliminary studies have indeed associated e-cigarette use with various negative outcomes. For example, an onslaught of headlines in mid-2019 warned the public about an outbreak of “e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury” (EVALI). Under-reported at the time was the fact that the injury-causing devices were typically purchased illegally and contained THC or certain dangerous additives, which made them far more harmful than the nicotine-containing devices adult customers can legally purchase in licensed vape shops in the US and UK. Surveying the literature nearly two years later, we get a better sense of the problem:

Is nicotine replacement a tobacco product?

According to Nicotine and Tobacco Research, "If all products containing nicotine derived from tobacco were labeled as 'tobacco products' internationally, then nicotine-replacement therapies would be classified as tobacco products, which they are clearly not.".

Can you buy THC in vape shops?

Under-reported at the time was the fact that the injury-causing devices were typically purchased illegally and contained THC or certain dangerous additives, which made them far more harmful than the nicotine-containing devices adult customers can legally purchase in licensed vape shops in the US and UK.

Is vaping better than smoking?

Compared to the typical news report about vaping —"Vaping is not better than smoking, and it still causes long-term lung damage"—Barton's article illustrated how we should talk about scientific issues when the evidence surrounding them is evolving. Let's consider a few examples.

What are vaping devices?

Vaping devices, also known as e-cigarettes, vape pens, and e-hookahs among other terms, come in many shapes and sizes. Some look like traditional cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Others are shaped like every-day objects, such as pens or USB memory sticks.

What chemicals are in vaping?

Vaping exposes the lungs to a variety of chemicals. These may include the main active chemicals in tobacco (nicotine) or marijuana (THC), flavorants, and other ingredients that are added to vaping liquids. Plus, other chemicals can be produced during the vaporizing process.

How old do you have to be to vape?

New laws are aimed at curbing vaping among teens. People must now be 21 to buy any tobacco product, including vaping products. And companies can no longer produce and sell flavors that appeal to children like fruit and mint. If you’ve already started vaping or smoking cigarettes, it’s never too late to quit.

How does puffing work?

While they may look different, most vaping devices work in a similar way. Puffing activates a battery-powered heating device. This heats the liquid in a cartridge, turning it into vapors that are inhaled.

Can nicotine be inhaled in a vaporizer?

Plus, other chemicals can be produced during the vaporizing process. “If the liquid has nicotine in it, then the user is inhaling nicotine along with the other ingredients in the liquid,” explains Dr. Thomas Eissenberg, an expert on tobacco research at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Is vaping harmful?

So how safe is vaping? Studies suggest nicotine vaping may be less harmful than traditional cigarettes when people who regularly smoke switch to them as a complete replacement. But nicotine vaping could still damage your health.

Is vaping more popular in high school?

Vaping is now more popular among teens than smoking traditional cigarettes. One in four high school seniors say they vaped nicotine in the past month. And studies have found that teens who vape nicotine may be more likely to go on to smoke traditional cigarettes.

What Research Currently Exists Around Vaping?

The association between vaping and EVALI is already an established scientific fact. However, it is not yet clear exactly what risk factors contribute to the development of EVALI.

Why is vaping important?

Vaping was initially hailed as an important innovation. It was believed smokers could use e-cigarettes as an alternative to tobacco. This would reduce exposure to nicotine, tar, and other hazardous substances. What’s more, many smokers considered vaping soothing, giving them “something to do with their hands” and a way to react in stressful ...

What Conditions is Vaping Associated With?

The unique condition associated with vaping is referred by the new medical acronym EVALI.

Is vaping a toxin?

Samples of lung tissue taken from victims have tested positive for high amounts of vitamin E acetate, a toxin in some vaping products. Vitamin E acetate is believed to be safe when used in nutritional supplements or skincare products, but not when ingested.

Is vaping a long term effect?

With that said, the long term effects of vaping have not been fully studied. While many individuals view vaping as a step in the right direction to eliminate smoking, more research needs to be compiled on the effects it can have on individuals and society as a whole.

Is vaping good for lung damage?

Evidence of disease has been found in teens as well as elderly adults. Unfortunately, there is no treatment capable of reversing the lung damage caused by EVALI.

How many puffs can you have with vaping?

With vaping, you can have one or two puffs, be satisfied, and be done whenever you want. You are not committed. You might only need one puff, then maybe five minutes later you take another one. You won’t overdo because your brain will never have to justify it as an expense if you stop now. You just stop now.

What are the symptoms of vapors?

Typically, symptoms have started gradually, with shortness of breath and/or chest pain before more severe breathing difficulty led to hospital admission.

What are the effects of smoking?

The recent tragic and alarming cases of severe lung disease are clearly cause for concern. A number of other health effects are also worrisome: 1 Nicotine is highly addictive and can affect the developing brain, potentially harming teens and young adults. Even some "nicotine-free" e-cigarettes have been found to contain nicotine. 2 Some substances found in e-cigarette vapor have been linked to an increased risk of cancer. 3 Teens who vape are more likely to begin smoking cigarettes. 4 Explosions and burns have been reported with e-cigarettes while recharging the devices, due to defective batteries. 5 Accidental exposure to liquid from e-cigarettes has caused acute nicotine poisoning in children and adults. 6 Vaping during pregnancy could harm a developing fetus.

What are the chemicals in e-cigarettes?

E-cigarettes produce a number of dangerous chemicals including acetaldehyde, acrolein, and formaldehyde. These aldehydes can cause lung disease, as well as cardiovascular (heart) disease. Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, put nicotine into your lungs and bloodstream.

How many people have lung disease from e-cigarettes?

According to the CDC: Nearly 200 e-cigarette users have developed severe lung disease in 22 states (and the numbers keep rising — a Washington Post story put the number at 354). Most cases were among teens and young adults.

What is the e-cigarette called?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has created a web page with the latest information and recommendations about what is now being called EVALI (for e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury).

Can e-cigarettes cause nicotine poisoning?

Accidental exposure to liquid from e-cigarettes has caused acute nicotine poisoning in children and adults.

Who invented vaping?

The invention of vaping is attributed to Herbert Gilbert, a cigarette smoker and scrap metal dealer from Pennsylvania. Gilbert’s device was battery-powered to vaporize a liquid for inhalation, very similar to modern electronic cigarettes. He admitted to the Smithsonianmagazine that he believed it to be a breakthrough alternative to cigarette smoking to save people from tobacco’s harmful effects as it did not contain nicotine. After multiple permutations, the device was never mass-produced but its patent has been cited by many companies since then. He actually proposed an alternative use for the device for people that were dieting and believed that they could vaporize the tastes of their favorite foods to quench food cravings. He initially proposed a handful of flavorings including cinnamon, rum, orange, and mint.1–2A year after the patent was submitted in 1963, the Surgeon General Luther Terry released his report “Smoking and Health” on the potential health consequences of cigarette smoking. This was the first report implicating cigarettes in a causal relationship with lung cancer and heart disease as well as laryngeal cancer and chronic bronchitis.3

What is the basic design of vaping?

The basic design of the device, in the case of vaping both tobacco and marijuana, is largely unchanged from the original patent by Gilbert. There is a reservoir that holds an oil or liquid, a mouthpiece, and a heating element. Theoretically, vaporizing the liquid does not combust it and saves the person va ping from exposure to byproducts generated by high heat . However, there is no regulation of these devices and no agreed upon standard temperature. There appears to be a wide variance in the quality of the components of these devices depending on the price of purchase.2,10,11,16,28

What solvents are used to dissipate nicotine?

The conventional solvents for the dissolution of nicotine or THC have been propylene glycol and glycerol, and these are the best studied. Initially thought to be benign, there is now some research demonstrating that propylene glycol when vaporized causes significant respiratory irritation and even increases the incidence of asthma. The breakdown products from heating propylene glycol and glycerol to target temperatures include formaldehyde and hemiacetals such as acetaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a Group 1 carcinogen that contributes a 5–15 times higher lifetime risk of cancer. It is present in traditional smoked tobacco in much lower quantities. Hemiacetals such as acrolein and acetone have been implicated in nasal irritation, cardiovascular effects, and lung mucosal damage and these byproducts are produced in higher quantities with higher voltage devices. Basically, as the temperature of the coil increases, the carcinogenic risk of vaping approaches that of traditionally smoked cigarettes.9,10,16–18

Is vaping harmful?

Good clinical evidence is lacking regarding the potential harm of vaping or the potential benefits. There are some problems with studying something like vaping. For one thing, any research has to make a distinction between vaporizing marijuana and vaporizing tobacco and this is not always possible. Additionally, the methods by which people vaporize tobacco and marijuana differ. As far as tobacco devices go, there are many brands with many different compositions and construction designs. Regarding the vaporization of marijuana, there are no standardized devices and there are no standard formulations.

Is vaping safer than smoking?

With the current body of evidence and the outbreak of EVALI in 2019, it is incumbent upon all healthcare practitioners to advise patients that vaping should not be considered safer than smoking and that there are very real and new dangers associated with vaping that still require further study. Providers must learn more about the dangers of vaping and identify adverse health effects from this practice in patients. An evidence-based approach to smoking cessation based on established data and practice patterns is needed.

Is vaping bad for you?

All of the medical dangers of vaping are unknown. Only a small number of people who admit to vaping marijuana are doing so for medical reasons, and there are almost no studies. A large number of people believe that vaping tobacco is a healthy way to quit, and this belief has been fostered by the tobacco industry.6,14There is no strong clinical signal in the direction of using electronic cigarettes as an effective method of quitting smoking. It is difficult to hold an informed discussion with patients about the potential risks and benefits of vaping. Potential risks come from multiple places: device specific concerns, the makeup of the liquid products being vaporized, and the potential for toxicity of both nicotine and marijuana when inhaled in concentrated forms.

Is vaping marijuana safe?

The studies on the safety or dangers of vaporizing marijuana are limited in number because the marijuana itself is difficult to acquire. There were a small number of the plants released in the early 90s for clinical research.12Most of those studies utilized the same device, manufactured under the name “Volcano”. This device is expensive and is drastically different from any of the modern handheld devices for vaporizing marijuana and tobacco. It does not serve as a good facsimile for comparison to modern day vaporization technology. Many of the clinical research studies available focus on aspects of vaping such as the amount of nicotine or marijuana delivered but there’s not a great deal of evidence on the analysis of other toxins released both from vaporizing tobacco leaf products and marijuana. With all of these limitations, most of the available studies are non-clinical or have very small numbers of study subjects. A strong and thorough assessment of the potential dangers of vaporizing tobacco and marijuana products has not been forthcoming.12,13

How many teens are vaping in 2018?

Health Risks Among Teens. An estimated 3.6 million middle school and high school students reported vaping in 2018, up from 2.1 million the year before. If trends hold steady, that number will continue to rise. Teens and young adults are particularly vulnerable to the effects of vaping products, especially those containing nicotine.

How does an e-cigarette work?

Unlike cigarettes that work by burning to bacco and producing smoke, e-cigarettes heat up liquid to create vapor. A lot of different companies make e-cigarette products, and the kinds of ingredients found in some liquid cartridges can differ from one brand to the next. Some of the most common harmful substances found in vaping products include ...

What is electronic cigarette?

Commonly referred to as “vaping,” these products use an aerosolized vapor infused with flavors or nicotine that are then inhaled by the user.

Why do electronic cigarettes explode?

Injuries. Electronic cigarettes use lithium-ion batteries to heat coils and produce an aerosol. On rare occasions, those batteries can malfunction, causing the device to overheat, catch fire, or even explode.

Is vaping legal in 2020?

As of Feb. 1, 2020, the FDA has banned the manufacture and sale of flavored vaping products (excluding menthol and tobacco). 1 . However, the criteria for product acceptance can still be as loose as it “ does not raise different questions of public health ” compared to an existing tobacco product.

Does vaping affect blood flow?

Another concern flagged by recent research is the potential harm vaping might have on cardiovascular health. Some chemicals found in e-cigs, such as nicotine, can affect blood flow. Studies show that regular use of electronic cigarettes could increase your chances of heart attack, stroke, and even heart disease. In fact, research shows e-cig users are almost twice as likely to experience a heart attack compared to non-users, even when analysts controlled for other known risk factors, including smoking status.

Do electronic cigarettes affect health?

Not much is known about how electronic cigarettes affect long-term health. They’re still too new, and a lot more research is needed. Recent studies, however, have started to find connections between using electronic cigarettes and serious or chronic health issues, including COPD and heart attacks.

Why is vaping so popular among teens?

First publicized as a safer alternative to smoking tobacco, vaping caught on because it didn't contain the carcinogens or tars found in most smoking tobacco products. Also, vaping was supposed to eliminate the dangers of secondhand smoke to those nearby.

Why is vaping so difficult?

This is due to the difficulty in correctly identifying what they inhaled, especially when they are intubated or unconscious.

How long does a vape last?

Did you know most cigarettes are smoked within two to five minutes? E-cigarettes on the other hand can last up to 20 minutes, delivering more nicotine and damaging chemicals to the lungs. In addition, some vaping mixtures can contain 20 times the nicotine that a single cigarette contains.

What is an e-cigarette?

E-cigarettes are battery-operated devices that heat a liquid solution — usually, but not always, containing nicotine — turning it into a vapor that can be inhaled . If the base nicotine mixture is not palatable, many flavors, such as mint, apple and others, can make vaping attractive, especially to adolescents.

How to help a teenager who is vaping?

Encourage your teen to look into the warnings and media stories related to vaping, or reach out to his or her primary care provider with questions.

How to tell if a child is vaping?

Talk with your kids about the dangers of vaping, but also look for warning signs including: 1 Changes in emotions 2 Trouble sleeping 3 Scents of fruity odors on skin, breath and clothes 4 Strange cylinders, chargers or batteries lying around

Is vaping bad for teens?

Adolescents often feel that bad things happen to everyone else, but the risks associated with vaping are real. Many teens are taking things a step further, adding cannabis, CBD oils and other dangerous additives to vaping devices.

What is the gateway effect of e-cigarettes?

The “gateway” effect of e-cigarettes may be explained by a genetic liability to risk-taking. Wayne Hall, Gary Chan. "E-cigarette use has also not been accompanied by increased cigarette smoking among young people in the United States, as would be the case if e-cigarette use were a major gateway to cigarette smoking.

Did the Massachusetts flavor ban and tax reduce e-cigarette consumption in the Greater Boston area?

"These results suggest that the Massachusetts flavor ban and tax did not reduce e-cigarette consumption in the Greater Boston area, and that messaging questioning the safety of e-cigarettes led to an increase in combustible cigarette use."

Did the Massachusetts flavor ban reduce e-cigarette use?

Amanda Katchmar, Adrian Gunawan, Michael Siegel. "These results suggest that the Massachusetts flavor ban and tax did not reduce e-cigarette consumption in the Greater Boston area, and that messaging questioning the safety of e-cigarettes led to an increase in combustible cigarette use.".

Does e-cigarette use increase smoking?

"E-cigarette use has also not been accompanied by increased cigarette smoking among young people in the United States , as would be the case if e-cigarette use were a major gateway to cigarette smoking . The latter findings suggest that any gateway effect of e-cigarettes is small at the population level because smoking prevalence has continued to decline, despite an increased uptake of e-cigarettes among young adults in countries that allow their sale."

How many people died from vaping in 2020?

As of Jan. 21, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 60 deaths in patients with e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury (EVALI).

Why are e-cigarettes so popular?

First, many teens believe that vaping is less harmful than smoking. Second, e-cigarettes have a lower per-use cost than traditional cigarettes.

How many chemicals are in e-cigarettes?

E-cigarettes heat nicotine (extracted from tobacco), flavorings and other chemicals to create an aerosol that you inhale. Regular tobacco cigarettes contain 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic. While we don’t know exactly what chemicals are in e-cigarettes, Blaha says “there’s almost no doubt that they expose you to fewer toxic chemicals than traditional cigarettes.”

Is nicotine a substance?

Nicotine is the primary agent in both regular cigarettes and e-cigarettes, and it is highly addictive. It causes you to crave a smoke and suffer withdrawal symptoms if you ignore the craving. Nicotine is also a toxic substance. It raises your blood pressure and spikes your adrenaline, which increases your heart rate and the likelihood of having a heart attack.

Can you use THC in a vape?

The CDC recommends that people: Do not use THC-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products. Avoid using informal sources, such as friends, family or online dealers to obtain a vaping device. Do not modify or add any substances to a vaping device that are not intended by the manufacturer.

Is e-cigarettes as addictive as heroin?

Both e-cigarettes and regular cigarettes contain nicotine, which research suggests may be as addictive as heroin and cocaine. What’s worse, says Blaha, many e-cigarette users get even more nicotine than they would from a tobacco product — you can buy extra-strength cartridges, which have a higher concentration of nicotine, or you can increase the e-cigarette’s voltage to get a greater hit of the substance.

Is e-cigarette smoking more popular among youth?

Among youth, e-cigarettes are more popular than any traditional tobacco product. In 2015, the U.S. surgeon general reported that e-cigarette use among high school students had increased by 900%, and 40% of young e-cigarette users had never smoked regular tobacco.

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