Vaping is often touted as a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes, but that does not mean it is completely without risk. Vape products, such as e-cigarettes, are known to cause health issues, including injuries caused by defective product components. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you or someone you love currently uses vape products and are concerned about safety risks.
Problems with defective vapes
Mechanical failures and overheating can lead to the e-cigarette battery exploding, which may cause a wide range of injuries. In one case, a 17-year old in Nevada suffered from burns and a broken jaw as a result of an exploding e-cigarette. The force of the explosion was enough to fracture jawbones and knock out several teeth, which resulted in the need for numerous procedures and surgeries to correct the injuries.
This is just one of many injuries occurring to e-cigarette users over the course of several years. And while many injuries are relatively minor, an exploding e-cigarette can lead to hospitalization. It is expected that injury rates will rise as vaping becomes more prevalent with each passing year.
Health problems linked to vaping
You may be able to avoid injuries caused by defective vaping products, but there are other health issues to be aware of as well. Certain vaping products, such as those including THC liquids, are associated with a greater risk of lung injury. In rare cases, these lung injuries have been severe enough to cause loss of life.
Additionally, the chemicals in vaping liquids are not widely known. Some may cause serious lung problems after prolonged exposure, including asthma and lung disease. For those who use traditional tobacco products and vape also have a greater risk of developing heart disease.