Vaping is generally considered less harmful than smoking traditional cigarettes, but it is not safe. E-cigarettes heat a liquid containing nicotine (derived from tobacco), flavorings, and other chemicals to create an aerosol that is inhaled. Regular tobacco cigarettes contain about 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic. While the exact chemical content of e-cigarettes is not fully known, experts note that vaping exposes users to fewer toxic chemicals than traditional smoking.
However, vaping has been linked to serious lung injuries and deaths. As of February 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 2,807 cases of e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI) and 68 deaths related to this condition.
Most of these cases involved people who modified their devices or used black-market e-liquids, particularly products containing THC. Vitamin E acetate, a thickening agent commonly found in THC vaping products, was identified by the CDC as a chemical of concern and was present in all lung fluid samples tested from EVALI patients.
The CDC recommends that people:
Do not use THC-containing vaping products.
Avoid obtaining vaping devices or liquids from informal sources such as friends, family, or online dealers.
A new generation of youth is becoming addicted to nicotine. E-cigarettes, especially disposables, are now more popular than traditional tobacco products. In 2021, over 2 million U.S. middle and high school students reported using e-cigarettes, with more than 80% using flavored varieties.
Experts say vaping appeals to young people because it is perceived as less harmful than smoking, costs less per use, and produces no smoke or smell. Many teens who would never have smoked cigarettes are starting nicotine use with vaping, which can lead to traditional tobacco use later.
Although overall youth vaping declined somewhat during COVID-19, disposable e-cigarette use has skyrocketed—up 1,000% among high school students and 400% among middle school students since 2019.
Quick facts about
VAPING
-E-cigarette vapor or aerosol can contain heavy metals like lead, tin, and nickel
-Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), or e-cigarettes, are battery-powered devices that deliver nicotine through vapor, often flavored. They are made to feel like you are inhaling tobacco smoke, without the burning that occurs when lighting a traditional, tobacco-based cigarette.
-Cigarette use stays high among 18- to 24-year-olds, many of whom also vape. About 67% plan to quit, mainly to improve their mental and physical health.
-E-cigarettes contain acrolein, which is a herbicide used to kill weeds.
Parents- Know your stuff:
E-cigarettes come in many shapes and sizes, but most include a battery, a heating element, and a liquid reservoir. They can be disposable, refillable, or use pre-filled cartridges or pods.
- Disposable e-cigarettes are pre-filled, may be rechargeable, and are not meant to be refilled.
- Refillable devices have a tank for e-liquid, are rechargeable, and some can be modified to adjust vapor or nicotine strength.
- Pre-filled cartridge or pod devices are rechargeable and reusable.
E-cigarettes can resemble USB drives, pens, smartphones, highlighters, toys, and other everyday items. Some “smart vapes” include digital screens, games, or reward systems, which can make them more appealing to youth.
These products are also called e-cigs, vapes, vape pens, or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), and young users may refer to them by brand names or slang terms.
E-Cigarette Aerosol Is Not Harmless
E-cigarette vapor isn’t just “water vapor.” It can contain harmful substances like:
- Nicotine – highly addictive and can harm brain development in teens
- Cancer-causing chemicals
- Heavy metals – nickel, tin, lead
- Tiny particles – can reach deep into the lungs
- Volatile organic compounds
- Certain flavorings – like diacetyl, linked to serious lung disease
Some e-cigarettes labeled 0% nicotine still contain nicotine. Many use nicotine salts, allowing higher nicotine levels without harsh taste, making them easier to inhale.
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Do not modify or add substances to vaping devices that are not intended by the manufacturer.