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Source:Sustainability Mag
The hidden impact of vape culture
Vaping is damaging to both your health and the environment.
Vaping was advertised as a smoking alternative to help consumers cut tobacco dependency. But vaping devices still contain nicotine, making them addictive products for young people. In fact, e-cigarette usage among American youth increased by 1,800% in 2022. Though the harmful effects of smoking are well-known, most consumers are unaware of the health risks posed by substantial vaping. And vaping’s negative impact is not limited to your health. There is a growing concern about the environmental impact of these devices. Technological waste, such as plastics and batteries, is not reusable or biodegradable. And with no concerted efforts to recycle vaping devices, it’s likely that they end up in landfills.
The fact check
Lithium-ion batteries alone are considered hazardous waste that requires specific disposal methods, not to mention pods, casings, and heating elements.
Key takeaways
New health risks associated with vaping emerge each year, and the health care industry is just now catching up to some of the more well-known side effects. The greater unknown is the negative impact vaping has on the environment. The tobacco industry claims that vaping benefits the environment by reducing cigarette waste, but e-cigarette use seems to be far more damaging.
