Pulmonologists sound the alarm about vaping: this is the best way to quit

The health risks of vaping are still underestimated by many people. Reports from RTL Nieuws show that five users have narrowly escaped death in recent months and according to the Dutch Association of Physicians for Lung Diseases and Tuberculosis (NVALT) this is just 'the tip of the iceberg'. High time to stop, but what is the best way to do this?

Many former smokers have switched to vaping because they think it is less harmful to their health. However, the opposite is true. "The tobacco industry has carefully cultivated the image that vaping is less harmful and a good tool to quit smoking . While it is much more addictive due to the high doses of nicotine ," explains NVALT chairman Henk Kramer. According to him, the acute effects of vaping are also 'much more harmful' than those of regular tobacco.

Trimbos Institute also sounds the alarm: 'Young people underestimate the dangers of vaping'

For example, users have been admitted to hospitals throughout the Netherlands with collapsed lungs, pneumonia, inflammation of the alveoli resulting in scarring and the lung disease COPD. The government has introduced a ban on the sale of vapes in the Netherlands, but according to pulmonologists, more action is needed.

The plans that are currently in place for a new tax levy are not enough, according to them. "The harmful effects will simply continue in this way," says Kramer. He would prefer to see a total ban, combined with a strict approach to combat illegal trade in vapes.

According to Ikstopnu.nl , the national website of the Trimbos Institute for vaping cessation, it is important for anyone who wants to attempt to quit vaping to first ask for help in quitting.

For example, many professionals who provide smoking cessation treatments can also provide similar treatment for vaping cessation. For example, consider a smoking cessation coach or group training. You may also receive medication with such treatment. In most cases, your health insurance will reimburse the guidance in full and you will not pay any deductible.

Prefer to try quitting without guidance? These tips can come in handy:

Before you start quitting, it is wise to list your reasons for doing so and set a quit date. Choose a day within two weeks on which you will stop vaping completely and put this in your calendar. Record your vaping habits, i.e. who you vape with, when and where. This will give you a better idea of ​​the times when you are used to vaping and you can already think about what you can do instead of vaping at these times.

When quitting, it is important to find distractions. As soon as you get the urge to vape, you can do that. What works best varies from person to person, but think of exercising, calling someone, chewing on something, taking a shower or using a stress ball.

What can also help is using nicotine replacements such as nicotine patches or nicotine gum. In this way you slowly reduce your nicotine addiction and you suffer less from withdrawal symptoms.

If you use nicotine replacements in combination with guidance, you will in most cases be reimbursed by your health insurance. Do you want to quit without guidance? Then you can get the nicotine replacements yourself at the drugstore or pharmacy.

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