Is Vaping Bad for You? Health Risks Explained

Vaping has grown in popularity over the last twenty years. But do you know what ingredients there are in a vape (e-cigarette)? “Vaping” sounds like something to do with water vapor. Well, everyone knows that water is safe. Vapes are filled with “e-juice,” also known as “vape juice.” Well, juice can be good for you, right? In fact, vapes have a fairly long list of worrying ingredients, and you may not even know what some of them are or the impact they could have on your health.

Ingredients in Vape Juice

• Nicotine: Often the primary ingredient, known for its addictive properties.
• Propylene Glycol and Glycerin: These are used to create the vapor.
• Additional Chemicals: Including acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, acrolein, diacetyl, and diethylene glycol.
• THC: The psychoactive component in marijuana, sometimes present in vape products.
• Vitamin E Acetate: A chemical commonly added to THC vaping liquids to dilute or thicken them.
• Heavy Metals: Such as nickel, tin, lead, and cadmium.

Health Risks of Vaping 

Nicotine Addiction and Withdrawal

Nicotine is highly addictive, and its withdrawal can cause irritability, mood swings, and difficulty concentrating. While vaping can temporarily relieve these symptoms, it perpetuates the addiction cycle. For pregnant individuals, nicotine poses additional risks, such as low birth weight and pre-term birth.

Lung Disease

Ingredients in vape juice, such as Vitamin E acetate, have been linked to severe lung conditions, including EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury). Symptoms of EVALI include coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain, which can lead to hospitalization and, in severe cases, death.

Heart Disease 

Vaping may increase the risk of cardiovascular issues. Nicotine can raise blood pressure and heart rate, potentially leading to heart disease over time.

Cancer 

Some chemicals in vape juice, like formaldehyde and acrolein, are known carcinogens. Heavy metals have also been linked to cancer. Although vaping is relatively new and long-term studies are ongoing, there are concerns about its potential to cause cancer.

Secondhand Vapor

The risks of secondhand smoke from cigarettes are well-known and understood. While secondhand vapor may not smell as bad, medical experts suggest it could also damage people’s health.

Hang on. It’s only in the last twenty years that these items have been approved for sale. Surely, they’re OK for your health? The US Food and Drug Administration website says: “Bottom Line: The fact that FDA regulates tobacco products does not mean they are safe to use. There are no safe tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.”

While vaping may be a less harmful alternative to smoking, it is not without health dangers. Making informed decisions about vaping involves considering both the known and unknown risks. For information and support on vaping for you or a friend or family member, contact LEAF at (607) 432-0090.

#TakeABreath #ThinkBeforeYouVape #VapeAwareness #Vaping #ChooseHealth #HealthierChoices #QuitSmoking #LungHealth #HealthyFamilies #WellnessTips

Sources

Broderick, SR, M.D. “What Does Vaping Do to Your Lungs,” John Hopkins Medicine, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/what-does-vaping-do-to-your-lungs.

CDC (2024) “Health Effects of Vaping,” https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/e-cigarettes/health-effects.html.

Cleveland Clinic (2022) “Vaping (E-Cigarettes)” https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21162-vaping.

FDA (2023) “Facts about E-Cigarettes,” https://www.fda.gov/news-events/rumor-control/facts-about-e-cigarettes.

John Hopkins Medicine, “5 Vaping Facts You Need to Know,” reviewed by Blaha, MJ, M.D., https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/5-truths-you-need-to-know-about-vaping.

All sources accessed July 29, 2024.