Vaping has been seen as a revolutionary harm reduction tool for smokers, praised for its ability to diminish the deadly consequences of traditional cigarettes. Public Health England (PHE) states that vaping is 95% safer than smoking. For smokers seeking a path to quit, this statistic offers a promising alternative to cigarettes and the significant harm they cause.
But what about the bigger picture? The long-term risks of vaping remain unclear, and the rising use of e-cigarettes among youth and never-smokers is of deep concern. While vaping may have its place in tobacco harm reduction for adults, the broader implications of this habit remain to be seen.
These category of posts dive into the health risks associated with vaping, discuss the gaps in our current knowledge, and provide practical advice for educators, parents, and users alike.
Understanding Vaping’s Health Risks
Immediate Health Risks
E-cigarettes may emit fewer harmful chemicals than their combustible counterparts, but they are far from harmless. Research from highly reputable medical journals such as the Lancet and the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) identifies several short-term health risks associated with vaping.
Effects on the Lungs and Heart
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- Lung Health: Studies suggest that the chemicals in e-cigarette vapour (like formaldehyde and acrolein) can irritate the lungs, leading to inflammation. Conditions like asthma may worsen with regular e-cigarette use, and emerging cases of lung disease highlight the dangers of black market products. Thus awareness and prevention of uptake by children and never-smokers are of paramount importance, and regulated sales of e-Cigarettes kept for ex-smokers only.
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- Heart Health: Nicotine, the addictive substance in most e-cigarettes, is known to elevate heart rate and blood pressure. There is evidence linking nicotine use to an increased risk of heart disease. Even without the tar and combustive chemicals in cigarettes, vaping still burdens cardiovascular health in those with pre-existing disease.
The Long-term Unknowns
The popularity of vaping is relatively recent — too recent for us to fully understand its long-term outcomes with regards to health. Unlike traditional smoking, with decades of longitudinal research to back up its dangers, e-cigarettes lacks any significant evidence base and long-term evidence is sparse.
This gap creates uncertainty about the cumulative impact of chronic vaping, including whether the practice might lead to respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, immune system or even cancer risk. For public health experts, this is an urgent area for further research.
Risks to Youth and Non-Smokers
One of the most alarming trends is the rapid rise of e-cigarette use among teenagers and non-smokers. Data published by the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that teen vaping has the potential to become a gateway into traditional smoking.
Impact on the Developing Brain
Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the effects of nicotine. Research confirms that nicotine exposure can interfere with brain development, potentially impairing attention, mood regulation, and impulse control. These effects can have lasting consequences well into adulthood.
E-cigarettes as a Gateway to Smoking
E-cigarette use in teens poses a significant risk of normalising nicotine dependence. Rather than reducing overall harm, vaping among youth may ultimately contribute to an increased uptake in smoking, with decades of progress in reducing smoking rates. However, current UK data suggests that the decline in smoking has stabilised – at least at present.
A Personal Testimony on the Dangers of Vaping
From someone who learned the hard way—take it from me, vaping is not a habit to start lightly. Or, as a never-smoker, at all.
A failed experiment to treat the side effect of a medication I was taking called vaping, led by one research paper, lead to a year of dependence and a decline in my mental health. The withdrawal period was particularly difficult with both physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms – but it was utterly worth it. Smoking, and its psychoactive ingredient nicotine, has been shown to both increase the risk of mental illness and show improvements in mental illness on cessation. I would therefore hypothesise the same for vaping – nicotine is nicotine, despite the delivery method.
My story is a cautionary tale for never-smokers and youth thinking of taking up vaping recreationally. Not just an anecdotal story, but in keeping with the evidence we have about the effects nicotine addiction can cause.
The message is very clear, from leading authorities and me personally — if you have never smoked, do not vape. Period.
Professional Insights on Vaping Risks
Healthcare professionals and tobacco cessation experts echo the need for caution when it comes to vaping. While the use of e-cigarettes can aid tobacco harm reduction in certain circumstances, the consensus is that they are not harmless substances.
Key Insights from Experts
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- Dr Mike McKean, Paediatric Respiratory Specialist and Vice President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (BBC News interview)
“The benefits of e-cigarettes for existing smokers should not be overshadowed by the risks they pose to non-smokers and young people. Vaping is a tool for cessation, not a lifestyle choice.”
“While e-cigarettes may double the likelihood of quitting compared to other nicotine replacement therapies, their use should be paired with education on the long-term unknowns.”
The overarching advice? Use vaping as a stepping stone to stop smoking completely — its long-term use as a permanent substitute should be approached with significant caution until the long-term outcomes start to become available.
Advice for Smokers, Parents, and Educators
For Smokers and Vapers
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- If you smoke, consider vaping as a harm reduction tool—but aim to phase out nicotine use altogether over time.
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- If you’re already vaping and want to quit, there are resources available that mirror traditional nicotine cessation interventions. Explore behavioural counselling options or nicotine replacement therapies to wean yourself off e-cigarettes.
For Parents, Educators, and Health Advocates
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- Educate youngsters about the risks of nicotine addiction and the unknowns tied to vaping.
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- Stay vigilant for signs of vaping, such as fruity or sweet odours, discreet devices resembling USB sticks, or behavioural changes in teens.
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- Advocate for better regulations on flavoured e-liquids and advertising, which continue to appeal disproportionately to youth.
By working together, we can stop vaping from becoming an increasing epidemic in our future – the youth of today.
A Call for Continued Research and Responsible Practices
The rise of vaping has presented both an opportunity for harm reduction and a challenge for public health. While we acknowledge its place as a cessation tool for smokers, we cannot ignore the potential looming risks it poses, particularly to youth and non-smokers. Quite simply, why take the risk?
To protect our communities, support ongoing research, educate the public, and advocate for responsible use.
More detailed posts about individual health risks associated with e-Cigarette use will be posted – to reiterate, I will only post evidence from highly reputable resources and high-level evidence. No scaremongering, no reinforcement of debunked myths (‘popcorn lung‘ was a result of illicit THC vapes, not nicotine). I hope in time I can garner trust and increase credibility for anyone concerned about vaping to make their own decision about the associated health risks.
Stay tuned.
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