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For some time, vaping has been marketed as a healthier alternative to smoking. Some people have even argued that vaping can help smokers quit the habit. Many people thought vaping was less harmful than smoking until reports of the lung injury disease emerged. Although vaping is a relatively new phenomenon, experts have warned that it is not completely harmless as some marketers would want people to think.
Currently, some experts have even claimed that vaping may threaten the COVID-19 recovery of a person. As such, people that have switched from smoking to vaping may wonder whether going back to smoking is a good option. So far, there is limited research about COVID-19. And, there is no sufficient evidence to show that vaping is harmful than smoking when it comes to COVID-19 recovery.
However, both vaping and smoking affect the respiratory system. They can also damage the lungs and weaken the immune system. That means using best box mods (https://vapingdaily.com/best-box-mods/) can make COVID-19 symptoms severe. It can also interfere with the ability of the body to fight the novel coronavirus.
Vaping Worsens COVID-19 Symptoms
Most COVID-19 patients that go into the intensive care unit have underlying conditions. Research has shown that men have higher chances of experiencing more severe symptoms of COVID-19 than women. Perhaps, that’s because men are heavier smokers and vapers than women.
Both smoking and vaping have a similar damage mechanism. Essentially, smoking and vaping damage the lungs. When the lungs of a person are damaged, proper breathing becomes difficult. And, because coronavirus targets the lungs, recovering from COVID-19 becomes difficult for vapers and smokers.
Experts have noted that lung injury from the use of the best mods and other vaping devices resembles the one experienced by COVID-19 patients. Studies have shown that vapor from e-cigarettes damages the cilia and cell lining of the lungs. It makes it hard for these hair-like protrusions to remove viruses and microbes out of the lungs. As such, vapers are more likely to get coronavirus and succumb to it due to their weakened lungs.
What about Marijuana?
No scientific study has considered the effects of cannabis on COVID-19 symptoms. However, experts are starting to explore the topic. But, the existing knowledge reveals specific facts when a person smokes cannabis, the same carcinogens and toxins released when smoking cigarettes get into the body.
Nevertheless, a 2012 study showed that consuming marijuana occasionally might not hurt the lungs the same way smoking cigarettes does. But, smoking marijuana heavily can lead to serious damage over time. Therefore, moderation could be necessary at the moment.
Experts have also warned those with flu-like symptoms like shortness of breath and coughing to avoid vaping and smoking. That’s because vaping or smoking can worsen the symptoms.
Avoid Sharing at All Costs
Vaping is largely a social activity. Many people were used to sharing their vaping devices before the emergence of COVID-19. It should be avoided during the coronavirus pandemic. Even if your friend has the best vape mod, avoid the temptation to try it out.
Health experts have advised people to practice social distancing, disinfect surfaces, and wash their hands. With such guidelines, it’s evident that now is not the right time to pass that vape or pipe even to the people you live with.
Coronavirus can be spread through direct and indirect oral contact. Anything that can be passed around can spread the virus. Social distancing means staying at home and avoiding social gatherings. That means people should avoid social cues or meetings to vape with friends.
Quitting Vaping during COVID-19
Now could be the right time to quit vaping. That’s because though a person might have the best box mod at home, they are unlikely to be exposed to social triggers. Such triggers include hanging out with vaping friends, drinking alcohol at bars, having a break with a smoking co-worker, and being stuck in road traffic. With fewer social triggers, quitting can be more comfortable for some people.
However, this might not be the case for everyone. That’s because quitting vaping requires a change of routine. For instance, if you’ve been smoking once you wake up, being physically distanced with other vapers might not help. You have to change your routine. For instance, you can opt to walk around instead of vaping.
Additionally, those in recovery from addiction to something like alcohol may have a hard time trying to be physically distanced. That’s because recovering addicts need social support. Trying to quit at this time can, therefore, present another challenge. And, this can overwhelm their systems.
Final Thoughts
There is no conclusive evidence of how vaping affects COVID-19 symptoms and recovery. But, based on the existing evidence, now is not the right time to try the best vape mods and share them with friends. Considering the damage caused by vaping on the lungs, experts are urging people to quit the habit of lowering the vulnerability of the respiratory system to COVID-19.
