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Quit Vaping in Southampton
Breathe Freely: Discover the Path to Quit Vaping with Hypnotherapy in Southampton
Congratulations on your decision to explore information about quitting vaping. You've taken a crucial first step towards a healthier lifestyle. Vaping, often perceived as a safer alternative to smoking, carries its own set of risks and health implications. On this page, I will delve into the dangers associated with vaping and discuss how quitting can significantly improve your well-being. Additionally, I will introduce you to the benefits of using hypnotherapy as a supportive tool to overcome your vaping habit.
My goal is to provide you with comprehensive insights and effective strategies to make your journey to quit vaping as smooth and successful as possible.
Facts & Figures
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In 2013 3.8% 11-17 year olds had vaped, in 2023 it was 21%
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54% of those 'Just wanted to try it'
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11-17 year olds mainly buy vapes from a shop or are given them
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Disposable Vapes are the most used (69%)
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'Elfbar' is the most used disposable
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60% Choose 'Fruit'; 17% 'Sweet'; 4.8% 'Energy Drink' flavours...
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Shops... Tik-Tok... YouTube... are the biggest promoters of vapes to children
Did you know...
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Vapes containing 20mg per ml of nicotine are 'consumer products' while those vapes which contain 0% nicotine are not covered by the UK Tobacco Products Directive
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The Dangers of Vaping
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Vaping has been widely marketed as a safer alternative to traditional smoking, but emerging research and clinical reports suggest that it carries significant health risks. Below are some key points to consider:
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Lung Health Risks
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One of the most serious concerns with vaping is its impact on lung health. E-cigarettes use a liquid that is heated to create an aerosol, commonly mistaken as water vapor, which users inhale. This aerosol contains various harmful substances including nicotine, flavorings linked to lung disease, and heavy metals like nickel, tin, and lead​ (Cleveland Clinic)​.
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For instance, diacetyl, a chemical found in many flavorings for vape liquids, is associated with a condition known as "popcorn lung" or bronchiolitis obliterans, which causes scarring of the tiny air sacs in the lungs leading to the thickening and narrowing of the airways​ (Cleveland Clinic)​. Moreover, EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury) is a serious, sometimes fatal condition linked to vaping. It presents with symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain​ (Cleveland Clinic)​.
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Cardiovascular and Brain Risks
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Nicotine, a primary ingredient in most e-cigarettes, is highly addictive and known to increase blood pressure and heart rate, which can lead to heightened risk of heart attack and stroke. Additionally, nicotine exposure can impair brain development in adolescents and young adults, potentially affecting memory, concentration, learning, self-control, attention, and mood​ (Cleveland Clinic)​​ (cdc)​.
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Addiction and Usage Among Youth
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Vaping is particularly concerning for its popularity among teenagers and young adults. Studies show that young individuals who start vaping are more likely to transition to smoking traditional cigarettes, which compounds their risk for developing health issues associated with nicotine dependence​ (medicalxpress)​​ (American Heart Association)​. The flavors offered by vape products, often sweet or fruity, are a leading factor in their appeal to younger users, making them more likely to underestimate the risks and become addicted to nicotine​ (medicalxpress)​.
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Misleading Information and Lack of Regulation
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The marketing of e-cigarettes often highlights them as tools for quitting smoking; however, there is insufficient evidence to support these claims. In fact, health authorities like the FDA do not approve vaping as a cessation aid due to the lack of conclusive data on their long-term safety and efficacy​ (American Heart Association)​. The misleading information continues to propagate the idea that vaping is harmless, which could prevent individuals from seeking more effective, healthier cessation methods.
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Contents of Vapes
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Vaping devices heat a liquid called e-juice or vape juice to create an aerosol, often mischaracterized as a harmless water vapor. However, the contents of this vapor present several health risks:
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Nicotine: Found in most e-cigarettes, nicotine is highly addictive and can impair adolescent brain development, affect memory, concentration, and mental health, and increase the risk of other substance use​ (Cleveland Clinic)​.
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Propylene Glycol and Glycerin: These are used to produce the vapor. While generally recognized as safe for ingestion, inhaling them can lead to exposure to high levels of aerosols that can irritate lung tissue​ (Cleveland Clinic)​.
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Chemical Additives: Many vapes contain harmful chemicals like acetaldehyde and formaldehyde, both recognized as carcinogens, and diacetyl, which has been linked to serious lung disease such as bronchiolitis obliterans (popcorn lung)​ (Cleveland Clinic)​.
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Heavy Metals: Devices can also emit particles of heavy metals like nickel, tin, and lead, which come from the heating coil of the vape pen and are known toxins that can cause respiratory distress and other health issues​ (Cleveland Clinic)​.
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Flavoring Chemicals: While flavorings are added to make vaping more appealing, especially to younger users, chemicals like diacetyl are dangerous when inhaled and can cause serious lung diseases​ (Cleveland Clinic)​.
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These substances make vaping a risky behaviour with significant implications for physical health, particularly lung health. Public health experts warn that the safety profile of vaping is still largely unknown, and long-term use can lead to chronic health issues.
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Benefits of Quitting Vaping Through Hypnotherapy
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Quitting vaping can significantly improve your physical and mental health. Hypnotherapy offers a unique approach to cessation that has benefits over other methods:
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Targeting the Psychological Aspect: Hypnotherapy works by accessing the subconscious mind to help modify the behavioral patterns associated with addiction. For many, vaping is not just a physical addiction to nicotine but also a psychological habit. Hypnotherapy can help alter these deep-seated habits.
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Drug-Free Approach: Unlike nicotine replacement therapies or medications that can have side effects, hypnotherapy offers a drug-free solution, reducing the risk of replacing one addiction with another.
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Improving Overall Well-being: Beyond helping individuals stop vaping, hypnotherapy can improve overall stress management, reduce anxiety, and enhance self-control capabilities. These benefits are particularly valuable for sustaining cessation in the long-term​ (American Heart Association)​.
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Personalized Sessions: Hypnotherapy can be tailored to address the specific triggers and issues unique to each individual, providing a more personalized approach to quitting than generic therapies or cessation products.
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By choosing hypnotherapy, individuals looking to quit vaping can avail themselves of a holistic and effective method that not only helps in overcoming nicotine dependence but also enhances mental health and emotional resilience, supporting a healthier lifestyle free from vaping.
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