Why do People Vape? 10 Main Reasons

Vape pens are popular among teens and are now the most commonly used form of nicotine among youth in the United States.

You may genuinely wonder why vaping is so popular between teenagers. Why do do people vape? Does it actually feel good or give you a high?

In this article, we will explore some of the most common reasons that people start vaping. Ranging from health, taste, saving money, to cut down on smoking, or to completely quit, etc.

Here you will find the facts on vaping, based on scientific evidence and research.

By understanding the benefits, side effects, and personal preferences involved, you can make an educated decision that aligns with your goals and values.

What Is Vaping? How do vapes work?

Vaping refers to the use of an electronic device (e-cigarette) to heat liquids that produce a vapor, which is then inhaled.

E-cigarettes (often called vape pens) are battery-operated vaping devices with heating element (atomizer with coil) that heat a liquid until it becomes an aerosol (mist), which is inhaled.

The main ingredients in vape juices are nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerinel, flavourings and other chemical substances. other drugs such as cannabis oil can also be vaped.

Some e-cigarettes are disposable and designed for one-time use. Others can be refilled with liquid, battery can be recharged, and used over and over.

Some people buy pre-filled cartridges for the vape. Others buy a bottle of liquid and refill the vape as needed.

Vape comes with different deign and appearance. Regardless of that, these devices generally operate in a similar manner and are made of similar components.

The number of vape brands sold on the internet is large and the variety of flavours staggering: more than 460 brands and 7700 flavours.

Read More: What is Vaping? Benefits? Side Effects? How does it Work?

Why Do people Vape? 8 common Reasons

There are many reasons people might vape.

1. Nicotine Addiction

Nicotine is the primary agent in regular cigarettes and e-cigarettes, and it is highly addictive.

Repeated use of nicotine vapes can lead to dependence, where the brain relies on the regular release of dopamine from nicotine to feel Pleasure or buzz.

It causes you to crave a vape and suffer withdrawal symptoms if you ignore the craving.

Vapes are incredibly addictive, with obscenely high levels of nicotine.

2. Relaxation / Stress Relief

A large majority of young people who have used e-cigarettes started vaping because of feelings of stress, anxiety or depression, and many continue vaping to cope with these feelings.

Nicotine creates an immediate sense of relaxation, which can help reduce anxiety, depression, and stress, leaving you feeling calm and chilled.

3. Safer & Quit Smoking

Cigarettes release thousands of different chemicals when they burn – many are poisonous and up to 70 cause cancer, including tar, carbon monoxide and more.

Nicotine vaping is not risk-free, but it is substantially 95% less harmful than smoking as the vape aerosol doesn't contain Most of the harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke.

When you vape, you're inhaling a vapor that's usually smoother and cooler than cigarette smoke. It doesn't have the harshness or heat of smoke, so it's easier on your throat and lungs.

Vaping is one of the most effective tools for quitting smoking. You're roughly twice as likely to quit smoking if you use a nicotine vape compared with other nicotine replacement products, like patches or gum.

The sensation of vaping closely replicates the feeling of inhaling on a cigarette. Apart from the feel of nicotine on the throat, vaping also offers the routine of hand to mouth action that same as smoking a cigarette.

4. Many Appealing Flavours

The flavours (such as watermelon, grape, caramel, bubble-gum, vanilla and mint) and colourful packaging used for vapes make them appealing.

Some research shows that many teens do not even realize that vaping cartridges contain nicotine, and assume the pods contain only flavoring.

5. Social Influences

Some students reported that they used e-cigarettes because their friend or family member use them. They're peer pressured into trying it and to keep doing it, and then they get addicted to it and struggle to stop.

Having a lot of people around you constantly vape is a great force of attraction for people want to try vaping to see what it is about.

Vaping is a social activity. vapers will be at the club and can meet so many friends by stepping outside for a vape.

6. Convenience, Discreet and Doesn't Smell

It's never been easier to vape in secret. Vapes are compact and now manufactured to look like USB drives, ballpoint pens, smartphone cases and smartwatches.

This make it look cool, convenient to hide. It also doesnt leave a lingering smell on clothes or in the area youre vaping, so can easily be consumed behind parent's back or in the school playgrounds.

7. Vape Marketing and Advertising

Widespread advertising for e-cigarettes has contributed to youth vaping. Vaping companies place ads on retail settings, streaming services, Magazine, Internet, social media, etc and cooperation with KOl for promotion.

Social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Facebook overwhelmingly show vaping in a positive light. This messaging makes it seem that e-cigarette use is common and socially accepted.

8. Weight control

Many people who vape, especially women, report that weight control is a motive for vaping.

Nicotine is a good appetite suppressant and has been used for a long time for weight loss.

Vaping is also a behavioral alternative to eating.

Read More: Does vaping make you lose weight?

9. Get more Nicotine in one Puff

You can get more nicotine in one puff than smoking cigarette. It's actually kind of insane, and a little terrifying.

Generally, a smoker absorbs between 1 milligram and 2mg of nicotine from a single cigarette. That means you may inhale 20 to 40 mg from a pack of 20 tobacco cigarettes.

As a rough estimate, puffs from a disposable vape with a nicotine strength of 5% or 20mg/ml of 2ml juice could be equivalent to approximately one pack of cigarettes.

Its highly unregulated as well, some of the vape pens have been shown to have 10 times the amount of nicotine as advertised.

Explore More: How Much Nicotine is in a Vape? Compared to Cigarette

10. Save Money

Making the switch to vaping can save you a lot of money: even with the cost of the device and E-Liquids, you can save yourself over 80% each year.

On average, a pack of cigarettes costs around $8 in the United States, depending on the brand and location.

For a pack-a-day smoker, this translates to a monthly expense of approximately $240 and a yearly cost of $2,920.

Prices for starter vape kits can range from around $20 to over $100, depending on the brand, model, and features.

E-liquids come in various flavors and nicotine strengths, with prices ranging from $10 to $30 per bottle.

If they were to switch to vaping, they might spend around $50 per month on e-liquids and coils, amounting to a yearly cost of $600.

Is Vaping harmful? The side effects of Vaping

Vaping is far less harmful than smoking. But they are not risk-free, there are health risks and we don't yet know their long-term effects.

1. Dangerous Chemicals

Vaping exposes the lungs and body to a variety of harmful chemicals, which is detrimental to your health and is associated with lung and heart disease.

The vapor delivers toxins such as diacetyl, cancer-causing chemicals, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to your lungs and whole body.

Explore More: Why does Vaping Make me Cough? How to Get Rid of It?

2. Lung Injury

E-cigarettes produce a number of dangerous chemicals including acetaldehyde, acrolein, and formaldehyde.

These aldehydes can cause lung disease, including cough, asthma, acute lung injury (EVALI), COPD and even lung cancer.

Also Read: Does Vaping Cause Lung Damage and Cancer? The Ultimate Guide

3. Affects Brain development

The increase in e-cigarette use, particularly among young people, is a dangerous trend with real health risks. Especially consider that Vapes contain higher levels of nicotine than cigarettes.

nicotine can affect the development of a teenager or adolescent's brain, causing long-term harm to their minds and bodies.

Research shows that nicotine impacts brain function, attention and memory.

4. Nitotine Addiction

More teenagers are vaping, putting themselves at risk of becoming addicted to nicotine.

The concentrated level in e-cigarettes creates greater nicotine dependence.

Vapes are not for children or non-smokers. When you quit vaping, you may experience withdrawal symptoms.

Conclusion

People start vaping for various reasons, ranging from Nicotine Addiction, health, flavours, social, saving money, to quit smoking.

Vaping offers an enjoyable experience that replaces the craving for smoking a cigarette.

It is safer than smoking. Vaping exposes users to far fewer toxins and at lower levels than smoking cigarettes.

It’s extremely easy, discreet and convenient to do, can get away with doing it inside without smell, doesn’t cost as much as traditional.

If you are thinking about ditching the cigarettes and making the switch to vaping or for other reasons, we hope this article will help guide you in the right direction.

However, Vaping is not completely harmless and we only recommend it for adult smokers, to support quitting smoking and staying quit.