Giving Compass' Take:

· Recent news of a mysterious lung disease related to vaping has many concerned around the country. Here, Allison Kurti takes a look at the different types of smoking and their associated risks.

· How can philanthropists support further research into this topic? What are some ways to spread awareness of the potential risks associated with vaping? 

· To learn more about the recent vaping deaths and injuries, check out this article. 

As concerns over vaping continue to grow, researchers and public health officials are investigating the causes of more than 40 deaths and 2,000 illnesses. It’s confusing even for experts.

The term “e-cigarette” refers to a battery-powered device used to inhale an aerosol that typically, but not always, contains nicotine, along with flavorings and other chemicals, but not tobacco. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognize e-cigarettes as a broad category that includes a variety of different products that operate similarly and contain similar components.

So, “e-cigarettes,” “vapes,” “vape pens,” “Juul,” etc., all refer to the same class of products, with “e-cigarette” being the product itself, and “vaping” referring to use of the product. The devices can have different uses.

Although e-cigarettes in the U.S. are regulated as tobacco products rather than smoking cessation tools, Juul – the biggest maker of these devices – has marketed its product as a way for smokers to quit tobacco, with its website saying that its products are a “satisfying alternative to cigarettes.” There are other vaping products, however, that are designed more to inhale THC.

Read the full article about smoking and vaping by Allison Kurti at The Conversation.