People have been using tobacco in various forms for millennia, but it wasn’t until the 1950s that physicians and scientists began to establish the relationship between tobacco use, lung cancer and heart disease. Although smoking cigarettes has been on the decline, e-cigarettes and vaping have quickly risen in popularity, especially among young adults. With vapes becoming more prevalent, here’s what divers need to know about how they affect the body and the ability to dive safely.

What Is Vaping?

Unlike traditional cigarettes that burn tobacco, e-cigarettes or vapes are electronic devices that heat a solution of nicotine salts, glycerin, propylene glycol, flavorings and other chemicals to prduce a vapor, which is then inhaled. These devices were initially marketed as devices to help smokers quit. However, due to various marketing strategies and the exotic flavorings available, vaping quickly became popular among teens and young adults who had never smoked before.

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Although vapes do not release as many harmful and carcinogenic substances as traditional cigarettes, they are not completely harmless. The various chemical flavorings and additives found in vaping liquid have potential safety concerns. For example, diacetyl, a compound found in some vaping liquids, has been associated with a lung condition known as “popcorn lung” and was banned in the U.K. However, diacetyl and harmful other compounds such as heavy metals can still be found in many vaping products on the market today.

How Does Vaping Affect Divers’ Bodies?

While exposure to carcinogenic compounds is reduced in vaping compared to smoking, the high nicotine content of these liquids is still a potential concern. Vaping pods/devices can contain up to 40 milligrams of nicotine or the equivalent of smoking 40 cigarettes. As a stimulant, nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict and increases the heart rate. This increases your blood pressure and subsequently the stress on the heart. All these factors potentially increase your risk of experiencing arrhythmias.

The many chemicals in vaping liquid may also lead to irritation of the lungs. Any inhaled substance will coat the lining of the lungs with potentially harmful chemicals and cause constriction of the respiratory tract. In addition, irritation of the delicate membranes in the lungs can decrease gas exchange and increase susceptibility to infections. As divers, we rely particularly heavily on our lungs to help clear inert gases that build up during the dive to avoid decompression sickness.

Nicotine causes the blood vessels to constrict and increases heart rate.

The effects of vaping are not limited to physical effects. Nicotine exposure and THC exposure through vapes are also linked to increased anxiety, depression and ADHD. These effects are likely especially pronounced in younger populations such as adolescents and young adults who are still developing.

How Can I Quit Smoking Or Vaping?

Smoking’s detrimental health effects have long been established. However, vaping is relatively new and not much is known about the long-term effects on health. The absence of quality research does not mean it is proven safe.

While some countries have adopted vaping products as a form of harm reduction for smokers, a conversation with your healthcare provider is highly recommended. In addition, your healthcare provider can connect you with alternatives such as nicotine patches, lozenges and gum or medications such as varenicline and bupropion that have been proven to improve the likelihood of smoking cessation. If you have no history of using nicotine products, we encourage you to avoid inhaling any substances, vaping included.

As divers, we want to know that the gas being filled into our cylinders is clean and appropriate for our dive. Why should we not take the same care with the air we breathe right before we enter the water?