Daily Archives: August 22, 2021

Use of electronic nicotine products was associated with an increased likelihood of dry nighttime cough and wheezing in adolescents, according to findings gleaned from a large survey.

A consequential cross-sectional study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health has offered additional evidence that electronic nicotine product (ENP) use, also known as vaping, among young adults is linked with an increased likelihood of developing a dry nighttime cough and general wheezing. The findings may tie into the long-term effects of vaping, an activity that has been termed an epidemic among young adults in America.

Responses were gathered during 2015-2016 through the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study database in its third wave of data collection. A total of 9750 participants aged 12 to 17 years were surveyed. This time frame overlapped with a distinct increase in vaping among youth in America. The authors observed that the young adults more likely to have vaped in the prior 12 months tended to be older teenage non-Hispanic Whites. Among this group, there were greater tendencies to also use more traditional nicotine products like cigars and cigarettes compared with their nonvaping peers.

After adjusting for covariates, the investigators found that wheezing/whistling, number of times wheezing, and dry cough at night were associated with ENP use (P < .05). Compared with adolescents who did not vape, those who vaped had 23% higher adjusted odds of dry nighttime cough (adjusted odds ratio, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.04-1.46; P = .02) and 37% higher adjusted odds of wheezing or whistling (adjusted odds ratio, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.11-1.71; P = .005).

On the other hand, the data did not find evidence to suggest a connection between e-cigarette use and new asthma diagnoses or exercise-induced wheezing in young adults who vape. Those surveyed who already were diagnosed with asthma did not show an association between ENP use and a changing need for a quick-relief or long-acting inhaler.

The authors noted existing evidence that vaping as an adolescent can lead to other addiction patterns being stronger than if the activity began as an adult, and they added that the nicotine in some vaping pens may have negative effects on developing brains. There remains a possibility that vaping may render the body more vulnerable to lung injury from conditions including pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

How vaping may hurt the lungs is not yet definitively clear. One possibility the authors suggest is that aerosols from e-cigarettes may accumulate in the lungs and disrupt macrophages that clear blockages, possibly leading to irritation and poor robustness of airways.

Overall, the authors feel that their findings of increased coughing and wheezing among those surveyed are clinically relevant. The study had one of the largest sample sizes observed to date and was the first nationally representative US study of youth examining multiple variables of ENP use that controlled for variables that previously influenced other studies.

The authors believe that in order to understand the long-term effects of e-cigarettes on respiration and asthma, additional highly focused data gathered from longitudinal studies that track pulmonary toxicity and clinical manifestations need to be produced.

To this end, the authors add that future studies should explore the differences in those surveyed who vape nicotine vs marijuana. There could be variations beyond the scope of their own research due to different substance types, the type of device used to vape, and the intensity of the vaping.

As it stands, the data gathered point to an association between ENP use and negative respiratory effects. The authors stress that these findings pave the way for more research in the field to be conducted going forward.

Reference

Cherian C, Buta E, Simon P, Gueorguieva R, Krishnan-Sarin S. Association of vaping and respiratory health among youth in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study Wave 3. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(15):8208. doi:10.3390/ijerph18158208

Read the original:

Study Adds Evidence Linking Vaping to Short-term Lung Symptoms in Youth - AJMC.com Managed Markets Network

With vaping, the cannabis product is heated to a specific temperature that allows it to be vaporized and inhaled, but not to a point where it combusts, or burns.

With wildfire smoke choking the region and air quality levels falling into the unhealthy range far too often lately, the thought of smoking to get stoned might not be the most appealing just now.

Which makes now as good a time as any to look into the vape options out on the market. Let's answer a few basic questions about vapes.

What is vaping?

As is the case with smoking, vaping delivers cannabis via the lungs and, as a result, has a similar effects profile. The key difference between the two is the temperature to which the cannabis is heated.

With vaping, the cannabis product is heated to a specific temperature that allows it to be vaporized and inhaled, but not to a point where it combusts, or burns. As a result, no smoke is produced. That makes vaping a discreet way to consume cannabis, and a bit easier on the lungs as well.

Is vaping safe?

An epidemic of vape-related lung injuries led to a wave of hospitalizations around the country in late 2019. Researchers quickly linked the injuries to vitamin E acetate, an ingredient often used to change the viscosity of liquid vape products, especially black market ones. Regulators in Washington subsequently banned the sale of vape products containing vitamin E acetate. As a result, all products sold at licensed dispensaries in Washington are required to be free of the chemical.

Otherwise, vaping is considered to be somewhat safer than smoking, if only because smoking creates more particles that are inhaled. Still, vaping has inherent risks associated with consuming a substance through the lungs.

What are your options?

Vape pens have become incredibly popular and ubiquitous in the cannabis community. They're simple, portable, user-friendly and discreet. With cannabis oil contained in a one-use cartridge, vape pens allow users to consume cannabis without ever needing to touch the actual material.

On the other end of the spectrum are dab rigs, with their complicated glasswork, red-hot metal nails and conspicuous use of a blow torch. Dabbing allows users a bit more flexibility in the product they consume and is a much more involved process than using a pen.

If you're looking for a blast from the past, there are modern versions of the volcano vaporizers that heat plain old cannabis flower, rather than the processed oils and waxes used in pens and dab rigs.

See more here:

Had enough smoke? Here's the lowdown on vaping as a smoke-free alternative for getting high - Pacific Northwest Inlander

By: Admin

Did you know that when you use a vaporizer, you are taking part in a hobby that is thousands of years old? It might seem new and trendy, but its use goes back to ancient Egypt, if not further. Learning more about the hobby can enhance your enjoyment of it.

Around 2500 years ago, a Greek historian named Herodotus wrote about his observations of Egyptians and their use of what might have been one of the very first vaporizers. The Egyptians that Herodotus met in his travels put seeds on hot stones and inhaled the vapor. Although this is the first written record we have of this practice, it doesnt take much imagination to think that humans have been doing it for far longer. Even the very earliest humans might have experimented with this around the time they were learning to use fire to cook meat.

Youve probably seen people smoking with a hookah, at least in pictures. There are records of its invention in India in the 15th century, but a similar device might have been in use in Persia before that. Like more modern devices, it can also be used for vaporizing and smoking substances.

A device for vaporizing medicinal compounds was conceived of several times in the 1920s and 1930s, and each time, their would-be inventors applied for patents. However, it was not until the 1960s that someone invented a smokeless cigarette although that too never went on the market, in part because traditional smoking was so popular. Similar products followed, but it was a Chinese pharmacist in 2003 who invented todays e-cigarette.

Vaporizers as we think of them today have only been around since just after the turn of the century, and they are more popular than ever before. If you have been considering getting one yourself, a great portable modelis the Mighty vaporizer by Storz & Bickel. This can be a great substitute for smoking cigarettes and can give you a cleaner experience.

As human beings, we love to gather with like-minded people. In fact, this is how subcultures form and entire cultures are shifted. Vaping is no different. Just as coffee connoisseurs are obsessed with the perfect pour and craft beer enthusiasts endlessly tinker to get the balance of hops right, vaping enthusiasts work on their clouds through constant experimentation with different types of gears. There are trade fairs, events, social media gear groups, and even celebrities. You dont have to get deeply involved with the subculture if you dont want to, but if its a community that youre after, youll find it.

That community is one reason people are drawn to the hobby, but its not the only reason. Most people indulge in a much more low-key way, but there are plenty of pleasures and benefits. These benefits range from curing various health problemsto stimulating appetite. Additionally, it can be a great alternative to smoking. It can also be cheaper. It doesnt linger on the air as much, and this means that if you use it indoors, the smell wont stay around.

Visit link:

The Legend and Lore of Vaping - EasternEye - Eastern Eye

Photo: Brent Rose/Gizmodo

I switched to edibles last year. It seemed like the healthiest way to go, especially with a nasty respiratory virus sweeping the globe, and I did not want to add any risk to my lungs. Edibles are kind of a commitment, though. They take a long time to kick in, and then they stay in your system a lot longer, too. Sometimes, you want to kick back get a little stoned right awayas you would with a post work glass of wineand know itll mostly wear off before bedtime. I still wanted to avoid smoke, though, which meant I would be searching for the perfect, convenient, smooth-hitting, portable vaporizer. And I found it.

DaVinci has been making really solid vaporizers for years, but its latest, the DaVinci IQC, strikes the perfect balance between quality and price. Coming in at $230, it is by no means the cheapest vaporizer out there, but it just works so well that it instantly became the top vaporizer I would recommend to friends.

A supremely well-designed portable weed vaporizer for flower or extract.

It tastes divine and produces very smooth, cool vapor. It heats up in 30 seconds, lasts a long time, is super easy to load, has a big bowl, charges via USB-C, works with flower and extracts, and easily fits in your pocket.

Expensive. It does get a bit warm in your hand, but not too bad. Would be cool if they implemented the dosage calculator found in IQ2, but it didnt work that well anyway.

A very quick vaporizer primer, for those who dont know: Vaporizing cannabis is not the same as smoking cannabis. The idea is that you have a device (a vaporizer) that heats your bud up to the point where all the good stuff (such as THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids) aerosolize so you can inhale them, but not so hot that the bud actually burns. This means you dont end up inhaling as many harsh carcinogens (though its certainly not 100-percent clean). Vaporizers hit smoother, are much easier on your throat and lungs, they taste a lot better, and typically produce a cleaner high.

G/O Media may get a commission

The ICQ can be used for both flower (a.k.a. ground-up bud) and extract (i.e. oils, shatter, and other concentrates). This makes it extremely versatile. For flower, the chamber can hold up to half a gram of herb, which is very generous and will likely last you several sessions. One thing that drives me crazy with virtually every portable vaporizer Ive used is that the bowls are frequently small and hard to load, which leads to spilling herb-crumbs everywhere. That is one of the many things that sets the IQC apart. The surface around the bowl gently slopes inward, so even if you miss the bowl itself its extremely easy to push the rest in with your finger. Its such a small thing, but it ends up making a huge difference. It also has a little stirring/scraping tool that hides away inside it, under the mouthpiece. Again, its a little detail, but its wonderfully convenient.

The rest of the design is rather immaculate, too. It might seem lazy to say that its as if Apple made it, but that feels weirdly accurate in this case. The IQC features clean, rounded lines that fit nicely in your palm. The exterior is made of brushed aluminum that feels silky smooth. The doors all snap shut with magnetic assistance. It has just three buttons and an easy-to-read display. It is, dare I say, elegant to look at?

Click through for more detail shots of the IQC.Photo: Brent Rose/Gizmodo

Photo: Brent Rose/Gizmodo

Photo: Brent Rose/Gizmodo

Photo: Brent Rose/Gizmodo

But the star of the show is the way it hits. The entire airpathfrom the oven to the mouthpieceis zirconia-coated ceramic, so no plastics or metals along the way. This means you dont get any flavors in there except for the weed youre puffing. Not only that, but its extremely easy to dial in your temperature. You can choose to use one of the four pre-programed Smart Paths that start at one temperature and automatically turn the heat up to get maximum extraction out of your bud, or if youre a geek like me you can put it in precision mode and dial in the temperature you want one degree at a time. Personally, I find that 392 degrees Fahrenheit is my favorite temp for most strains, but sometimes I like going a little higher, and sometimes Ill go a bit lower. Its also worth noting that if you dont like the pro-programmed Smart Path settings you can connect the IQC to your phone via Bluetooth and change those numbers.

The ICQ is DaVincis first vaporizer that charges via USB-C. That means you can charge it from zero to full in about two hours (though you can charge it enough for a single session much faster than that). It can also act as a portable power supply, should your phone die and you decide that reading Gizmodo is more important than getting stoned. While the 3,000 mAh battery should get you one to two hours of burn time (depending on your temperatures), its also removable and replaceable, so you could always bring extra batteries if youre going backpacking or something. Spare batteries will run you a very reasonable $13 a pop.

Speaking of accessories, you can get these little ceramic Dosage Pods from DaVinci. They look like little white, porcelain baskets and are designed for when youre on the go and dont want to worry about grinding your bud, emptying out your last bowl, and then reloading it. You can swap in one of these little pods that you filled at home and youre off to the races. Youll also need these pods if you want to vaporize some extract, in addition to DaVincis Extract Kit. Its basically a little ceramic disk and some small cotton pads to keep the oil from getting your vaporizer all goopy. Loading it up is a little bit of a process, but its not bad at all, and the vapor you get from extracts is very clean and nowhere near as lung-destroying as a dabbing rig.

Photo: Brent Rose/Gizmodo

The IQC also features a new Sharesafe Mouthpiece made of an FDA-approved antimicrobial polymer. Theoretically this means its less likely that youll spread cooties while sharing your vape. I did not have lab-testing equipment to test the validity of these claims, but I did share this vape with several friends and none of us got cooties (or covid), so maybe? One thing I can tell you, is that this mouthpiece stays slightly cooler on the lips than the metal mouthpiece on most other vapes, including those DaVinci makes.

It is worth mentioning the IQCs closest competitor is also made by DaVinci. The IQ2 came out before the IQC, and it costs $80 more. What do you get for that $80? Well, if you punch in the percentage of THC and CBD in the strain of weed youre vaping, the IQ2 can measure the size of the hits youre taking and estimate the dosage youre getting. Thats kinda cool, though I found it to be somewhat buggy when I tried it. It also has a dial at the bottom that allows you to control the airflow. Other than that, its effectively the same vaporizer as the IQC, except it lacks USB-C and the Sharesafe Mouthpiece. The IQ2 is excellent, but I think youre better off saving the $80 and getting the IQC.

Really, its hard to find something to dislike about the IQC. If anything, Id say I still think its slightly more expensive than it should be, especially considering you need to buy the Dosage Pods and Extract Kit if you want to vaporize some extract. If this thing came with those items, or if it didnt and it cost $200 instead, I would say everybody who smokes cannabis should buy this, because its healthier, it tastes better, and its just so convenient. At $230 it seems just a liiiittle steep and pushes it a bit close to enthusiast territory. That being said, if you dont mind spending that much, this is the best portable vaporizer Ive ever used. It disappears in your jean pocket, its easy to load, it holds a lot, it lasts a long time, it tastes delicious, and it gets you really high. What more do you need?

Continue reading here:

If Apple Made a Weed Vaporizor, the DaVinci IQC Would Be It - Gizmodo

Its morning. Do you reach for your phone or your vape first? One is filled with dance challenges, cute dog vids, and funny memes; the other, nicotine, a highly addictive chemical that can have seriously toxic effects on your mental and physical health. If you have that a.m. craving for your vape, youre not alone. A study conducted by Truth Initiative found 82.3% of 18-to-24-year-old e-cigarette users vape within 30 minutes of waking up.

From hyping the deliciousness of fruit flavors to posting vape tricks on social media, e-cigarette companies bombard young vapers with unsavory ploys to get them hooked. For many, though, the gig is up. Another Truth Initiative survey found 60% of young e-cigarette users want to quit and This Is Quitting, a free, text program from truth, provides support for how to stop.

If youre thinking about your future, vaping may feel like a clingy, toxic friendship dragging you down. When youre ready to move on, it can be hard, but youve already got an ally in your pocket: your smartphone, a powerful tool for getting you through the challenge.

Heres why you may want to reach for your phone first thing in the morning for a dose of positivity and empowerment instead of your vape.

E-cigarette companies have used tech and pop culture to appeal to kids and teens even putting influencers on their payroll. They have tried hard to reach you where you are, but so has This Is Quitting, designed to help 13-to-24-year-olds start their journey toward being nicotine-free. The program sends messages based on your age, your vape device, and where you are in your journey to quit. Text DITCHVAPE to 88709 to enroll.

If you feel embarrassed about vaping or unsure about telling people youre quitting, youre definitely not alone. Its tough enough trying to quit without dealing with internal guilt trips. This Is Quitting is completely anonymous, which means even if youre just curious, or you dont feel comfortable talking to your loved ones about vaping, you dont have to reveal or commit to anything. When you sign up for This Is Quitting, you get daily text messages, but there are also keywords for on-demand support when you need it COPE, STRESS, or SLIP, for example.

Being young right now is pretty intense. Youre thinking about school, dealing with relationships, and deciding what you want to do and who you are all of that on top of the ongoing stress of the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaping nicotine can also mess with your mental health, including amplifying symptoms of depression and anxiety. When youre ready, This Is Quitting offers accountability, but it also provides support through interactive messages and advice from other young people who have quit or are trying at the same time.

In a randomized clinical trial published in JAMA Internal Medicine, quit rates were nearly 40% higher among young adult e-cigarette users aged 18-24 who used This is Quitting compared to a control group. The program showed powerful impact across different subgroups of users, regardless of age, gender, race and sexual orientation as well as including people with anxiety and depression, those with high levels of nicotine dependence, and people who reported smoking cigarettes or binge drinking.

E-cig sales continue to soar even during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. With vaping linked to a substantially increased risk of COVID-19 among teenagers and young adults, it's more important than ever before to help young people quit. Truth Initiative the organization behind the truth campaign and This is Quitting recently hosted a virtual discussion, "Unvaping Ameria's Youth," on how to address the youth e-cigarette epidemic on all fronts. Check it out for info and inspiration on how quitting can improve your life.

Read the original:

Its OK To Break Up With Your Vape Over Text. Heres Why. - Mashable India

Rights4Vapers and the Coalition des droits des vapoteurs du Qubecare gearing up for the Vape Tour 2021. The 26-date tour is a protest against the Government of Canadas ban on vape flavours, set to stop in Montreal on Aug. 28 and 29.

The proposed ban would go into effect at the beginning of 2022. The organizations share a mutual concern that the ban will result in Canadians returning to traditional tobacco products.

Flavours are an important component to the vaping experience for adult smokers, explain Rights4Vapers in a press release. Flavours help smokers migrate from traditional cigarettes to vapor products.

The first march and rally will take place tomorrow in Ottawa. The tour will also hit Sherbrooke, Chateaugay and Niagara Falls, among other Canadian cities.

Rights4Vapers will be vlogging throughout the entire tour. Earlier today, the organization shared a video of their first day on the road. The team and their eccentric tour bus visited the Health Canada building in Ottawa.

We have been able to meet with some of the different shops in Ottawa that are supporting the protest which is happening on Saturday, explained event organizer Maria Papaioannoy-Duic in the video. We have given out t-shirts, protest signs and we are getting more excited with every shop that we stop at.

For more information on Vape Tour 2021s Montreal events, please visit Rights4Vapers website.

For the latest news updates, please visit the Newssection.

Originally posted here:

A march against the ban of vape flavours is happening in Montreal - Cult MTL

The Ministry of Health was recently reviewing submissions on its draft vaping regulations. Earlier this year, co-director of the Aotearoa Vapers Community Advocacy (AVCA), Nancy Loucas, voiced her concern that the draft regulations were to go into effect, therefore adding more cost and scarcity to vaping products, the retail security situation would worsen.

Vaping consumers support regulation and high product safety standards. However, under the proposed regulations, vape manufacturers and retailers will be hit hard with many compliance costs. That will only make vape products more expensive and increasingly sought-after by criminals, said Loucas.

The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Bill was passed earlier this month. It has set in place a tobacco age limit of 18, restricted the sales of flavoured vaping products to specialist vape retailers, and only allows three vape flavours (mint, menthol, and tobacco) for sale in general retail stores.

Loucas said that registered specialist vape stores are now more likely to be targeted by burglars and shoplifters, as theyll be the only ones permitted to stock and sell a wide range of vape flavours, of which fruit and dessert remain the most popular. Over time, burglaries may impact vapers access to flavours and equipment as some vape shop owners will possibly bow out of the market fearing safety concerns, she said.

Most adults have successfully switched using fruit and dessert flavours and they enjoy them. Thats how so many have successfully quit smoking cigarettes. If the Ministry makes these flavours harder to find, sadly some Kiwis will head underground obtaining unregulated or illegally-sourced products which would be a terrible public policy outcome, added Loucas.

Meanwhile discussing the bill,Australian public health expert and tobacco harm reduction advocate Dr. Colin Mendelsohn, highlighted that unlike its Australian counterpart, the Kiwi government at least understands the potential of vaping as a safer alternative to smoking.

He points out that it is about time Australia follows suit. The NZ regulations put Australia to shame. They are based on the evidence rather than politics and ideology. They are a model for good public health policy on vaping and will save lives.

New Zealand: Smokefree 2025 Plan Considers Nicotine And Age Restrictions

Continued here:

NZ Vape Industry Concerned Shop Security Will Worsen Due to New Vape Bill - Vaping Post

Are you curious as to how the cannabis industry managed to get so popular in such a short space of time? Do you want to know which available products are the most popular among consumers?

Cannabis has been used for centuries and it is still a popular choice today. It can be smoked, eaten, and even consumed in other ways as well as have incredible medical benefits such as helping with anxiety, insomnia, pain relief, and more.

The cannabis market is booming right now and there are plenty of new companies emerging to offer up products that will help make the cannabis market even more successful. This article will go over some of the most popular products that are bringing incredible success to the cannabis industry.

Dry herb vaporizers, such as the ones available at MagicVaporizers.co.uk, are arguably the most popular choice for marijuana consumers these days and there is no surprise why. As of recently, people have been a lot more health-conscious and are concerned about the well-being of their lungs. Vaping is a much healthier alternative to smoking as it reduces your risk of inhaling harmful and damaging carcinogens.

For those who prefer to use actual weed when they vape, you can get dry herb vaporizers that heat the compounds within the dry herb itself through the use of heated plates.

For those who want a bit of a higher dosage, some vapes make use of marijuana concentrates. These come in the form of oils, waxes, or juices. These kinds of vapes are more common to come by but can end up being a bit more expensive because of how pricey marijuana concentrates are.

Edibles are nothing new to the cannabis market, in fact, they are one of the older additions to those who consume marijuana. However, over the years, the concept of edibles has changed drastically and you might not even know everything that is out there now.

Edibles are commonly thought of as cookies or brownies. When someone offers you an edible, this is likely what you will think of, but this isnt the case anymore. These days, there are so many different edibles to choose from. You will always be able to find your standard cookies and brownies, along with some other baked goods, but now there are other options.

When looking for edibles you will find anything from gummies, candies, drinks, and even meals prepared with cannabis oil or butter. The options are practically endless and you will never have a shortage of new things to try.

Next up, we have CBD-Pre rolls. Never in a million years would I have thought that you would be able to smoke a joint without getting high, but the time is here. These days you can now find marijuana that is made from a flower that is predominantly rich in CBD. This means that there is little of the psychoactive compound, THC, in the plant, and it is more used for medicinal purposes.

Whats even better than this is that you can get this product pre-rolled into joints. This takes out a lot of the work for you and you dont have to fuss with any messy grinders or rolling tray. All you need to do is light up and enjoy.

Moving on to the next product on our list, we have cannabis-based topicals. These have become increasingly popular over the last few years and more and more people discover the benefits of marijuana for medicinal purposes. For those who are suffering aches and pains, as well as inflammation, there is an abundance of ointments and gels out there that can be applied directly to the affected area.

Marijuana has also started making its way into the world of skincare and self-care. Many people suffering from acne will find marijuana-infused skincare can be very beneficial in helping reduce redness and painful spots. You can also find some products such as bath bombs and lotions which are marketed as products to help you calm down and soothe your body.

See original here:

Products That Are Making the Cannabis Market Successful - Ohionewstime.com