A new simulation highlighting the risks of vaping has circulated online, bringing attention to the habit that thousands are trying to quit.
New year, new me and all that, but the government's crackdown on vapes coming into play last year, now is as good a time as any to throw the plastic sticks away for good.
E-cigarettes were created to help cigarette smokers quit, but the switch hasn't been as safe as many assumed it to be.
The NHS have stated that vaping is 'less harmful than smoking' on the whole, but partaking in either of the habits is advised against by health professionals.
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"Switching to vaping reduces your exposure to toxins that can cause cancer, lung disease, and diseases of the heart and circulation like heart attack and stroke," they explain.
In fact, DIY experiments showcasing the effects of both habits have shown that cigarettes are more health-threatening, while vaping isn't completely free of risk.
Time will tell what the long-term impacts of vaping are, but the fact of the matter is that nothing but air should be going into out lungs.
Now, a new simulation has explained how vaping regularly can impact your body, though if you have any medical concerns about your health in relation to vaping, it is advised that you see your GP.
TikTok account @neuralbones, who are known for posting simulations showing what happens if you took too much junk food, alcohol, and soft drinks among other things, have chipped in with a vaping video.
In the clip, they cover what symptoms you will experience from day one to day 40 of vaping.
What does the simulation claim happens?
Day one
They note that while vaping feels harmless here, the nice flavour and smooth hit will stand out.
You won't think much about the effects, though your lungs will already start to feel the irritation from smoke undering through the trachea.
Day five
Almost a week in, your throat will start to feel dry while your chest may start to tighten.
You may also catch yourself reaching for the vape without thinking too much about it, with nicotine already starting to take a toll on your body.
Day 10
You may start to experience more coughing here, as well as shorter breaths, as your lungs respond by producing extra mucus to protect from the regular vapour entering its system.
Breathing may start to feel heavier after simple activities which may not have happened prior to vaping.
Day 20
This is where your body will physically start to feel the toll of vaping, with fatigue, headaches and simple tasks leaving you out of breath.
It claims that you are not longer choosing to vape, with the habit instead satisfying your cravings - though there is no official medical advice backing this claim up.
Day 40
This is where 'casual vaping' is no longer a thing, with your airways remaining inflamed due to the habit, while your oxygen intake may drop.
Your heart is said to start working overtime to compensate for this, putting your body under constant stress to try and cope with the strain you're putting on it.
Medical advice on vaping
Cancer Research UK states that it may not be too late for users, stating that 'e-cigarettes don't contain cancer-causing tobacco', though the listed side-effects may not be worth the fuss.
According to the NHS, when it comes to the long-term effects of the habit, 'vaping has not been around for long enough to know the risks of long-term use'.
They added: "While vaping is less harmful than smoking, it is unlikely to be totally harmless. Children and non-smokers should never vape.
"The healthiest option is not to smoke or vape. So, if you are vaping to quit smoking, you should aim to eventually stop vaping too."
According to NSW Health, vaping for 40 days can lead to 'significant, acute changes' in both physical and mental health, which is caused by the high nicotine content and chemicals found in e-liquids.
They advise that while 40 days isn't enough to develop chronic diseases, it can contribute to addiction and cause respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological issues.
People have recently shared horror stories about their own near-death experiences from vapes, showing that it may not be so harmless after all.
Joshua Nair