281 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 9 Tobacco and Vaping consists of small, thick, sticky particles. As smoke repeatedly passes through the respiratory system, tar builds up in the lungs. Smoking-related damage to the lungs contributes to the development of chronic respiratory diseases and triggers asthma attacks (Figure 9.5). Health Effects of Vaping Devices Some people see vaping, or the use of vaping devices, as a harmless alternative to smoking cigarettes. They may also see these devices as less addictive than cigarettes. In reality, vaping is not harmless. Vaping introduces nicotine (or another drug) into a person’s body. E-liquids with nicotine contain large amounts of nicotine. For example, one e-liquid pod can contain as much nicotine as a pack of 20 regular cigarettes. Even e-liquids that claim to be nicotine-free contain nicotine. Most of the time, when people vape, they are consuming an e-liquid made of many chemicals (Figure 9.6). Scientists know that inhaling the chemicals in Respiratory Conditions Caused by Smoking • Chronic bronchitis: ongoing condition in which small tubes in lungs become swollen and irritated • Emphysema: causes airways in lungs to become permanently enlarged and decreases amount of oxygen entering the lungs and bloodstream • Asthma: chronic disease caused by blockages of airflow to and from the lungs can lead to asthma attack • Lung cancer: abnormal cells grow rapidly along the air passages to form a tumor that affects lungs' ability to transport oxygen to bloodstream Figure 9.5 Smoking-related damage to the lungs can have long-term effects on the respiratory system. What residue from cigarettes damages the lungs? Harmful Chemicals Found in Vaping Devices Heavy metals, including nickel, tin, and lead Flavorings, including the chemical diacetyl Volatile organic compounds such as benzene, which is found in car exhaust Ultrafine particles Carcinogens Top to bottom: Macrovector/Shutterstock.com Ivan Feoktistov/Shutterstock.com (vehicles) drical/Shutterstock.com Antonov Maxim/Shutterstock.com (signs) ThanasStudio/Shutterstock.com Figure 9.6 Aerosol created by vaping devices contains many harmful chemicals which are connected to serious health conditions. What is one rare lung disease related to vaping? iStock.com/Nerthuz