Version July 2025
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What is vaping? —
This means using electronic cigarettes, or "e-cigarettes." These are devices that have a small battery that heats up a liquid to create a vapor, or aerosol. The user then breathes in this vapor, similar to how they would breathe in smoke from a regular (tobacco) cigarette.
There are many different types of e-cigarettes. Some are about the same size and shape as a pen, while others are smaller or differently shaped. Some are larger with replaceable "vape liquid" pods. They can also be designed to look like other items, such as USB flash drives (figure 1).
Is vaping safer than smoking cigarettes? —
Maybe. Experts do not know a lot about the long-term health effects of vaping yet. But most e-cigarettes and vaping liquids contain nicotine, which is the ingredient in regular cigarettes that makes them addictive.
Even though many e-cigarettes might contain less nicotine than regular cigarettes, this does not mean they are harmless. All forms of smoking and vaping come with risks. Avoiding smoking and vaping in all forms is best for your health.
E-cigarettes can also contain other harmful substances, such as:
●Small amounts of metals and chemicals
●Other ingredients with unknown health effects
What problems can vaping cause? —
Experts are not sure how e-cigarettes might affect a person's health over time. But there is evidence they can cause problems, such as:
●Nicotine dependence or addiction – Most e-cigarettes and vaping liquids have nicotine. People who only vape occasionally might start wanting to do it more and more.
People who vape a lot might:
•Have high levels of nicotine in their body – Some have levels that are similar to those in people who smoke.
•Be more likely to start smoking cigarettes – Smoking cigarettes is known to increase a person's risk of serious health problems. These include heart disease, lung disease, kidney failure, infection, and cancer.
●Breathing-related symptoms – Some people who vape notice symptoms similar to those of bronchitis. This is caused by irritation of the bronchi, which are the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. Symptoms can include cough and coughing up mucus.
●Lung damage – There have been cases of lung damage in people who vape. The risk of lung damage seems to be higher when people use vaping devices that have been refilled with other drugs, like THC (the active ingredient in cannabis). The risk is also higher when the vaping liquid contains added ingredients like vitamin E. Breathing in the vapor can lead to symptoms such as cough, chest pain, and trouble breathing. In some cases, lung damage can be severe. Rarely, it can lead to death.
●Burns – Vaping devices can cause burns or other injuries.
●Nicotine poisoning – The liquid used in e-cigarettes has large amounts of nicotine. Drinking this fluid can cause severe poisoning and death. It's very important to keep e-cigarettes and vape liquid pods out of reach of children. Even small amounts of nicotine can be dangerous for them.
What are the risks of vaping for young people? —
Young people who vape are more likely to become dependent on nicotine. Nicotine can harm a young person's developing brain. Vaping also increases the risk they will start smoking regular cigarettes. This can lead to serious health problems.
Many companies that make e-cigarettes and other devices advertise directly to children and teens. For example, they sell products with different flavors that appeal to young people. Peer pressure can also lead some young people to try vaping.
If you have or live with children or teens, it's important to:
●Know they are likely to hear about vaping or know people who do it.
●Know what the different devices look like.
●Talk openly with them about the risks. If they do not have correct information, they might think vaping is harmless.
Can vaping help me quit smoking? —
Sometimes, people who already smoke tobacco cigarettes wonder if vaping can help them quit.
Doctors recommend using medicines and counseling to quit smoking. These are effective ways to help people quit. But for adults who tried these and could not quit, switching to vaping might be an option. There are some things to remember:
●Vaping might be less harmful than smoking regular cigarettes. But e-cigarettes still contain nicotine as well as other substances that might be harmful.
●If you try vaping to help you quit, it's important to switch completely from regular cigarettes to e-cigarettes. Using both might increase the risks of harm.
●It's not clear how vaping can affect a person's health in the long term.
For these reasons, doctors recommend that if you try vaping to help you quit smoking, you still make a plan to quit vaping eventually. This is also why doctors do not recommend vaping as a way to quit smoking for teens.
If you are interested in quitting smoking, your doctor or nurse can help you make a plan. Quitting isn't easy, but it's one of the best things you can do for your health.
What if I need help quitting vaping? —
If you want to stop vaping but are having trouble, talk to your doctor or nurse. They can help you quit with medicines and/or counseling, similar to quitting smoking.
Patient education: Harmful health effects of smoking (The Basics)
Patient education: Quitting smoking for teens (The Basics)
Patient education: Quitting smoking for adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Chronic bronchitis (The Basics)
Patient education: Medical cannabis (The Basics)
