Results of our vaping survey

Good morning all,

The results of our vaping survey are in!

We had 93 responses in total.

Almost exactly 2/3 (61/93) respondents said that they do not vape.
Almost exactly 1/3 (32/93) respondents reported that they did vape at least one per week.

Those respondents who did not vape rated its danger as 8.1 out of 10.

Those who do vape rated its pleasurability as 6/10, and its danger as 7.3/10. 
(interesting that users ranked the pleasurability lower than the danger, isn't it?)

Those who vape do so an average of 12x per week (range:1-100 times per week).

17/31 (42%) of those who vape do check the source/ingredients, while the majority (17/31, 55%) do not.

The vaping materials used (and the number of people who reported using them) are

don't know    1
Juul     2
mint    3
nicotine    3
blueberry    1
tobacco    12
other    12


These findings reflect much of what is reported in the recent news:
- vaping is very popular among college-age students
- additives or alternatives to tobacco are prominently used
- users pay relatively little attention to the ingredients or sourcing of vaping products.


These are dangerous trends!  That one can directly and intentionally infuse nicotine is especially worrisome, as is the fact that users do not know with great confidence the source or identify of the other compounds that are inhaling.  Our lungs are designed for exposure to atmospheric gases only - introducing any other compounds is potentially quite risky. 

We will continue to discuss this topic, and I will continue to pass along more information.  Education and effort are the keys to behavioral change - with any luck, we can increase awareness of the dangers of vaping and reduce its prevalence.  The numbers of vaping-associated cases of severe respiratory distress and mortality continue to climb - please be aware of the dangers, and use that knowledge to make good choices about your health.

https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html

Sincerely,
Dr. Nealen