Are Vaping and Juuling the Same Thing?

Learn about the differences between vaping and Juuling, and the effects that both can cause.

The difference between Juuling and vaping is very small, but there is a difference. Vape is a slang term for the vaporizer used in e-cigarettes, and vaping refers to using a vaporizer or e-cigarette to inhale a vapor that contains nicotine. Juul is a brand name for a particular type of e-cigarette that is very popular and accounts for about 40% of the e-cigarette market. Juuling refers to using a Juul and is a method of vaping.

While the term vaping can refer to using a Juul, it can also refer to using other types of e-cigarettes. Juuling is a more exclusive term and refers only to using a Juul.

What Is Vaping?

Traditional cigarettes involve a nicotine-containing substance being burned and the smoke from that substance being inhaled into the lungs. Vaping allows for nicotine to be delivered into the lungs with the traditional method of combustion. Vapes use electricity to heat water that contains nicotine and other substances, turning into vapor which can then be inhaled.

While vaping does not create tar-like traditional cigarettes, it has been shown to start or worsen breathing problems and typically contains several cancer-containing substances.

What Is Juuling?

Juuling refers to using a particular brand and type of e-cigarette called a Juul. Juuls are shaped like a USB flash drive and do not look like a traditional e-cigarette. Instead of requiring a battery or a special charger, Juuls can be charged by being plugged into a USB drive of any electronic device. The fluid that Juuls vaporize often contains fruit flavors or other flavors like mint to make it more appealing.

Many teens are under the mistaken assumption that Juuls do not contain nicotine and only include water and flavoring. In reality, Juuls contain nicotine and often contain more nicotine than traditional cigarettes.

Why Teens Prefer Juul vs Vape

Juuling is very popular with teens, and over 20% of high schoolers use e-cigarettes, with many of these being Juuls. There are several reasons for the popularity of Juuls with teens. Some of the main reasons that teens prefer to use Juul include:

• Their peers or family use Juul
• The availability of flavoring
• An incorrect belief that Juuling is safer than using other nicotine-containing products
• It is easy to Juul in areas where tobacco products are not allowed

While the sale of Juul to minors is restricted, it is possible to purchase Juul online by ticking a box that attests that you are the required age. Because of these relaxed restrictions, Juuls are easy to obtain. Juuls also appear like a typical flash drive, making them easy to hide and use in areas where Juuling is not allowed, such as a classroom.

Vaping, Juuling & Teens Do Not Mix

Any form of vaping, including Juuling, does not mix well with teens. Vaping can be dangerous, and the effects that it can cause are still being discovered. Vaping can be an introduction to tobacco products and may lead to a smoking addiction or vaping addiction later in life. The nicotine in vapes rewires the brain in teenagers, making them more susceptible to addiction to drugs or other harmful substances later in life. Additionally, the nicotine in vapes is often present in higher doses than in normal cigarettes.

Another major concern with vaping is that because it is a newer phenomenon, it is not regulated. This means that anything could be in vape solution, and it would not be possible to tell. Studies have found toxic chemicals in certain vape brands, and several of the chemicals in vape solutions could lead to an increased risk of cancer.

Editor – Rob Alston

Rob Alston has traveled around Australia, Japan, Europe, and America as a writer and editor for industries including personal wellness and recovery. Read more