Though similar devices have been marketed in the past, a fad in alcohol consumption has reemerged in the form of the Vaportini. The Vaportini is an alcohol inhalation device that enables users to heat their favorite liquors in a glass sphere. This sphere fills with alcohol vapor; the user employs a straw to inhale the vapors through a small opening in the sphere. A diagram of how it works can be found here.
According to reports in the U.S. and U.K., a growing concern among authorities and parents is the use of homemade devices by teens and young adults to achieve the same results. The particular health effects are not well documented, but the concerns are grounded in the way the alcohol enters the bloodstream. According to a report by Dr. Robert Glatter, the vapor travels directly to the brain and bloodstream, bypassing the stomach and liver. As a result, the risk of overdosing on alcohol increases. There are also concerns with the alcohol’s effect on the lungs and respiratory system.
Part of the appeal of alcohol inhalation is the nearly immediate effect the alcohol has on the user. The Vaportini is marketed as allowing users to consume alcohol without the calories, carbohydrates, or impurities. Furthermore, those inhaling alcohol often believe that there is less impact on the their blood alcohol content (BAC). Chemical tests will still reflect the alcohol that has been consumed, though there has been some concern that actual levels of intoxication are not accurately reflected.
As intoxication can result from alcohol inhalation, users should avoid activities that are illegal after becoming intoxicated by drinking alcohol, such as driving. If you are accused of driving under the influence (DUI) or any other alcohol related offense, you should immediately contact a Tennessee DUI attorney.
