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The Dangers of Vaping
As part of Public Health week, Health Sciences is presenting a symposium entitled The Dangers of Vaping. Every department within the Health Science division is participating to help spread awareness about this relatively new, silent threat.
Public Health week was held in April, but the symposium had to be rescheduled for October 26, 2020 due to COVID-19. Special guest speaker Beverly Johnson gave a presentation on the risks of e-cigarettes and other forms of aerosol nicotine consumption.
The Dangers of Vaping is sponsored by a grant from The League for Innovation in the Community College.
Beverly Johnson is Project Director for the Mississippi Tobacco Free Coalition of Bolivar/Sunflower Counties for the Delta Health Alliance. For over 10 years, Mrs. Johnson has led the coalition in assisting nine cities and Delta State University (DSU) in passing a comprehensive smoke-free ordinance.
Because of her dedicated efforts in bringing awareness to the harmful effects of tobacco use, there is a decrease in tobacco use among teens and less citizens are being exposed to secondhand smoke.
Mrs. Johnson is a graduate of Jackson State University with further studies from DSU. She has a license in social work and works alongside her husband Darryl in a Christian ministry. Together, they are the proud parents of three children and three grandchildren.
Myth: Vaping isn't dangerous.
Fact: The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported in February of 2020 that 2,807 people
have experienced lung injury or death due to complications stemming from the use of e-cigarettes
or vaping products.
Myth: Vaping only affects my lungs.
Fact: Nicotine is the primary component in traditional cigarettes as well as e-cigarettes.
It is very addictive and many people struggle to overcome this addiction. According
to John Hopkins Medicine, 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.
Myth: E-Cigarettes are less addictive than traditional cigarettes.
Fact: Research suggests that nicotine can be just as addicting as heroin and cocaine. According
to Dr. Michael Joseph Blaha, Professor of Medicine at John Hopkins University, e-cigarettes
have the potential to be even more addictive. This is due to the availability of extra-strength
cartridges and the ability to increase the voltage on an e-cigarette delivering even
more of the toxic, addictive substance to one's body in a single puff.
Myth: Vaping is a great way to stop smoking.
Fact: The Food and Drug Administration has not approved vaping as a way to stop smoking.
Studies show that many people who use vaping as a way to stop smoking are unable to
stop smoking traditional cigarettes and subsequently end up with two addictive, expensive
habits.
Myth: Vaping doesn't have any long-term effects.
Facts: The impact of nicotine doesn't only carry the risk of addiction. According to a 2016 report by the Surgeon General entitled, E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Young Adults, mood disorders, permanent lowering of impulse control and decreased cognition (the
ability to think and acquire knowledge) are also a danger when nicotine is mixed with
a developing brain. The human brain, in general, develops until a person reaches the
age of 25.