Vaping has become a popular, novel, tobacco-free alternative to smoking in recent decades. This is especially true among the youth, who are drawn to its fun and inviting flavors. According to statistics, vape usage among young people doubled from 2020 to 2023. Vaping does expose users to less chemicals than cigarettes; however, due to its relative recency, the long term, exhaustive effects of vaping are largely unknown.
Unlike cigarettes, vaping does not contain tobacco. Rather than burning tobacco to smoke it, vaping involves heating a liquid (also known as vape juice) that contains flavorings, nicotine, and other substances that turns into vapor in your lungs. Vaping, as a result, seems healthier; though, vaping is still very harmful to human health. For one, vaping still contains nicotine–a highly addictive substance that activates dopamine receptors and causes users to become hooked. Nicotine itself has many long term and alarming effects on health. This includes stresses on the cardiovascular system and high blood pressure, resulting in a higher risk of heart disease and stroke. Other materials in vapes can be considered harmful: heavy metals (chromium, lead, nickel, tin), benzene, VOCs, formaldehyde, etc.
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In the youth, the effects of vaping on the brain is especially concerning. Children and young adults may be more vulnerable to addiction and dependence due to a higher plasticity (neuroplasticity being the ability of the brain to change, adapt, and rewire itself). This has been shown to increase likelihood of abuse of other substances. Children are also more susceptible to effects on their lungs according to a recent uptake in hospitalizations. This includes worsened asthma, inflammation in the lungs, and other damage to the respiratory system.
Some recent studies have shown a correlation between vaping and oral health problems as well. Vaping results in an aerosolized (fine spray) liquid to cover your teeth, which is often full of sugar and flavored artificially. Many vape users will take hits in the middle of the night, leaving their teeth unbrushed and covered in sweet flavoring. This creates the perfect breeding ground for cavities, eventually leading to tooth decay. For example, cases with dark, decayed tips on the tops of the teeth have often been related to vaping. Research has found that vaping substantially changes users’ oral microbiome, with bacteria specifically associated with vaping.
Overall, vaping is a less dangerous alternative to smoking in general. It’s a product that can help current smokers quit addiction. However, its harmful health effects are serious and should not be ignored, especially among children, in which it can be especially harmful.
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