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Chose a position and do a bit of research. Post at least one piece of evidence (facts) that support your opinion under the appropriate column. POST a LINK to all your sources. Feel Free to post pictures and graphs, as long as you also summarize or reflect on the info in the pic/graph/link etc.

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Vaping and Smoking are both extremely bad. Vaping is a fairly new thing and doctors still don't know the extinct of how bad vaping damages your lungs. 80% of those affected are under the age of 35. Vaping has been advertised better for you than smoking, yet, all that has happened is younger people started to vape and its ruining their repository systems at a young age.

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So You Started Vaping to Quit Smoking. Now What?

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Let’s go over what we know about vaping versus smoking.

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I agree with you Bryant that vaping has less chemicals, however, more people are using more and more at a time because its "better" and in the end the same amount of chemicals enters their respiratory system.

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Vaping is not as bad as smoking because you are not inhaling " smoke" their is no build up of tar. But it is still very bad for you because of all the chemicals and E-cigarettes usually contain even more nicotine than regular cigarettes.

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I agree with you Sarah and more research is definitely needed because this is such a new thing but, I think vaping is still healthier for your lungs because your not inhaling all the tar a regular cigarette contains.

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E-cigs have not been around long enough to know the real long term risks, but at this time the effects we do have recorded are better than regular cigs

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Vaping has risks, regardless of what you vape. Starting to use e-cigarettes or switching from tobacco products to e-cigarettes increases your risk of adverse health effects. The safest option is to avoid vaping and smoking altogether.

Research into the health effects of vaping is ongoing, and it may take some time before we understand the long-term risks.

Here's what we currently know about the effects of vaping fluids with and without nicotine and vaping cannabis or CBD.

Preliminary research suggests vaping poses risks to heart health.

The authors of a 2019 review point out that e-liquid aerosols contain particulates, oxidizing agents, aldehydes, and nicotine. When inhaled, these aerosols most likely affect the heart and circulatory system.

A 2018 report from the National Academies Press (NAP) found significant evidence that taking a puff from a nicotine e-cigarette triggers an increase in heart rate.

The authors also described moderate evidence suggesting that taking a puff from an e-cigarette increases blood pressure. Both could affect heart health over the long term.

A 2019 study assessed data from a nationwide survey of nearly 450,000 participants and found no significant association between e-cigarette use and heart disease.

However, they found that people who smoked conventional cigarettes and e-cigarettes were more likely to have heart disease.

Another on the same nationwide survey found that e-cigarette use was associated with an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, angina, and heart disease.

The authors of a 2018 study used data from a different national health survey to come to a similar conclusion: Daily vaping is associated with an increased risk of heart attack, even when other lifestyle factors are taken into consideration.

Finally, a 2017 review of the cardiovascular effects of vaping indicates that e-cigarettes may pose certain risks to the heart and circulatory system, notably for people who already have some form of heart disease.

However, the researchers concluded that, overall, vaping is thought to be less harmful to the heart than smoking cigarettes.

Some studies suggest that vaping may have negative effects on the lungs, but more research is needed.

In particular, a examined the effects of flavored e-juices on both human lung cells and lung cells in mice.

The researchers reported a number of adverse effects on both types of cells, including toxicity, oxidation, and inflammation. However, these results aren't necessarily generalizable to vaping in real life.

A assessed the lung function of 10 people who had never smoked cigarettes immediately after vaping fluids, either with or without nicotine.

The researchers concluded that vaping with and without nicotine disrupts typical lung function in otherwise healthy people.

However, this study had a small sample size, which means the results may not apply to everyone.

The 2018 NAP report found that there's some evidence that e-cigarette exposure has adverse effects on the respiratory system.

Finally, lung health effects are not expected to be seen for 20 to 30 years. This is why it took as long as it did for the negative health effects of cigarettes to be widely recognized.

The full magnitude of effects of toxic e-cigarette ingredients may not be known for another three decades.

Vaping appears to have a number of negative effects on oral health.

For instance, a reported that exposure to e-cigarette aerosol makes teeth surfaces more prone to developing bacteria. The authors concluded that vaping may increase the risk of cavities.

Another study from 2016 suggests that vaping is associated with gum inflammation, a known factor in the development of periodontal diseases.

Similarly, a 2014 review reported that vaping may trigger gum, mouth, and throat irritation.

The 2018 NAP report concluded there's some evidence that nicotine and nicotine-free e-cigarettes can damage oral cells and tissues in people who don't smoke cigarettes.

The 2018 NAP report found substantial evidence that vaping causes cell dysfunction, oxidative stress, and damage to DNA.

Some of these cellular changes have been linked to the development of cancer over the long term, though there's currently no evidence to suggest that vaping causes cancer.

Vaping may also have specific adverse effects on certain groups, particularly young people.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that vaping nicotine can permanently affect brain development in people under the age of 25.

It's possible that we don't yet know all the physical effects of vaping.

The long-term effects of smoking cigarettes are well-documented and include an increased risk of stroke, heart disease, and lung cancer.

According to the , cigarette smoking causes nearly 1 out of every five deaths in the United States.

Vaping might appear to be a less harmful choice for people trying to quit smoking. However, that doesn't mean there aren't risks involved, even if the vape liquid is nicotine-free.

There's limited evidence to date of the long-term effects of vaping because we know the lung effects of vaping will take decades to develop.

However, based on the experience with cigarettes, similar adverse health effects, including COPD, heart disease, and cancer, can be expected.

Secondhand vapor vs. secondhand smoke

Secondhand exposure to e-cigarette vapor is said to be less toxic than secondhand exposure to cigarette smoke. However, secondhand vapor is still a form of air pollution that probably poses health risks.

According to the 2018 NAP report, secondhand vapor contains nicotine, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at concentrations that are above recommended levels.

More research needs to be done to understand the long-term health effects of secondhand exposure to e-cigarette vapor.

Juuling refers to vaping with a specific e-cigarette brand. It carries the same health risks as vaping with any other e-cigarette brand.

A Juul is a thin, rectangular e-cigarette that can be charged in a USB port.

The e-liquid comes in a Juul pod or J-pod cartridge, which usually contains nicotine.

Vaping nicotine products increases the risk of addiction. A 2015 study suggests that people who vape nicotine are more likely to become dependent on nicotine than people who vape nicotine-free fluids.

Vaping nicotine is especially harmful to young people. Young people who vape nicotine are more likely to start smoking cigarettes in the future.

However, e-cigarettes still pose health risks, even without nicotine. Nicotine-free e-juice contains a number of potentially toxic chemicals, such as base liquids and flavoring agents.

Studies suggest that nicotine-free vaping can irritate the respiratory system, cause cell death, trigger inflammation, and blood vessels.

More research needs to be done in order to understand the side effects of nicotine-free vaping.

If you vape cannabis, side effects can include:

There's almost no research on the side effects of vaping CBD. However, some reported side effects of using CBD oil include:

These side effects tend to be mild.

Cannabis and CBD e-liquids usually contain other chemicals, such as base liquids or flavoring agents. They may cause side effects similar to those of nicotine-free e-cigarettes.

The fluid flavor does matter. A 2016 report indicated that many vape fluids contain flavoring agents at concentrations that may pose risks to users.

Another study from 2016 tested more than 50 e-juice flavors. The researchers found that 92 percent of the flavors tested for one of three potentially harmful chemicals: diacetyl, acetylpropionyl, or acetoin.

Researchers in a 2018 study found that cinnamaldehyde (found in cinnamon), o-vanillin (found in vanilla), and pentanedione (found in honey) all had toxic effects on cells.

It's difficult to know for sure which flavors contain respiratory irritants, as ingredients tend to differ from one brand to the next.

To be safe, you might want to avoid the flavors listed below:

If you're concerned about the side effects of vaping, you might want to avoid the following ingredients:

acetoin

acetyl propionyl

acrolein

acrylamide

acrylonitrile

benzaldehyde

cinnamaldehyde

citral

crotonaldehyde

diacetyl

ethylvanillin

eucalyptol

formaldehyde

o-vanillin

pentanedione (2,3-pentanedione)

propylene oxide

pulegone

vanillin

The above ingredients are known irritants.

If you're concerned about the adverse effects of vaping, try the following:

Ask for a list of ingredients: Contact the manufacturer for a list of ingredients in your vape fluid. If the manufacturer can't provide a list of ingredients, it might be a sign of a not-so-safe product.

Avoid flavored fluids: Unflavored fluids are less likely to contain potentially toxic flavoring agents.

Taper nicotine: If you're using vaping to quit smoking, you should gradually reduce your dose of nicotine. Transitioning to nicotine-free vaping can help you minimize side effects.

Stay hydrated: Drinking water right after you vape can help prevent dry mouth, dehydration, and other side effects.

Brush your teeth afterward: Cleaning the surface of your teeth can help prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria.

It can't hurt to talk with a doctor or other healthcare professional about the risks of vaping, especially if you already have a chronic health condition, such as asthma.

You may also want to make an appointment with a doctor if you think vaping is behind any new symptoms, such as coughing, difficulty breathing, or increased heart rate.

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Is Vaping Bad For You? Side Effects, Risks, Nicotine, Marijuana

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Vaping of any kind harms your overall health. Learn how it affects your heart and lungs, which flavors carry the most risk, precautions you can take, and more.

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https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/5-truths-you-need-to-know-about-vaping
Cigarettes have over 7,000 chemicals that are going into your body and although we don't know how many are in vapes, there are definitely less. However, this doesn't mean vaping is good for you if you already don't smoke, but can be a better option over cigarettes.

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i agree with malie because the inhalation of actual smoke is a much more serous thing than some of the just straight up flavored water vapor you could instead be inhaling

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I agree with Bryant that vaping is a better option then smoking and that there are things that we still don’t know about vapes.However, vaping will most likely lead to smoking and start to cause the same effects as smoking, maybe worse.

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Honestly, I think both options are not good choices concerning health but if you’re going to do it, vaping is safer than smoking. There isn’t a lot of research on vaping yet because it’s still fairly new. But it has been shown that it is at least 95% safer due to the fact that you’re not inhaling tar or ash. Vaping also allows the option to adjust the nicotine intake. This is why it can be an effective way to stop smoking. You can start off with a higher level of nicotine and then slowly lower it over time until you eventually stop. The lack of research makes it harder to tell just how bad it is. I think it is at least a bit safer than smoking.

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Vaping gets a lot of bad press. Although we hear occasional positive reports about the health benefits of electronic cigarettes, they're generally overwhelmed by coverage of hypothetical risks and exaggerated dangers. It's not easy to find the facts about vaping.

Recently, 15 past presidents of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT) co-authored a paper in the American Journal of Public Health arguing that vaping's potential positive effect on public health is being ignored or twisted by powerful interests and lobbying groups.

Even top scientists and researchers in relevant fields are ignored when their research doesn't align with the popular message (that vaping is just as bad smoking, if not worse). That makes things really confusing!

This article can bring some clarity and simplicity to the topic with a healthy dose of real-world advantages. So what are the actual pros and cons of vaping? Let's get to it.

1. It's safer than smoking: The British Royal College of Physicians and Public Health England, and American National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, all agree that vaping is safer than smoking cigarettes. PHE says vaping is "at least 95% less harmful." Because there is no combustion in vaping, there is no smoke, and smoke is what creates the tar and carbon monoxide that lead to most of the long-term health damage from smoking. The health benefits of being smoke-free include improved lung and heart function, and even better senses of smell and taste.

2. No noxious odors: One of the biggest advantages of vaping is that you and your clothes, house and car won't smell of smoke anymore. Vaping has an aroma, but it's a long way from the smell of stale smoke and cigarette butts. In fact, even tobacco-flavored vapes don't smell anything like burning tobacco. To a lot of people, the smell of vapor is barely noticeable. You might even get compliments!

4. Control over vapor output: Vaping gives you control over the amount of vapor you exhale, which is a major part of the experience. Some vapers prefer smaller devices like pod vapes for convenience and low vapor volume, and others like high-powered mods for cloud chasing. Adjusting the power output, airflow, and coil type lets you further fine tune your vapor volume, which affects the flavor too. You can be subtle and stealthy, or as showy as you like, depending on how you choose to vape.

6. Instant satisfaction: Although advanced vapes may require initial tinkering, there are lots of simpler products that come prefilled and ready to use. Either way, once the vape is ready, taking a hit is as simple as pushing a button or drawing on the device (some have an automatic draw). While all vaping devices need a charged battery and e-juice to continue working, the average vape can sustain you throughout the day with no maintenance or upkeep.

7. Price points for every wallet: The vaping market is large and competitive. There are lots of products in every price range-from 10 dollars to hundreds-that can suit almost any user. Whether you want a simple disposable e-cig, or a sophisticated vape mod and premium e-liquid, there's a vape out there that you can start using today.

9. Access and availability: These days, you can find good vapor products in vape shops, convenience stores, gas stations, and even smoke shops. There are also online vape shops that will ship vaping products right to your front door.

1. Too many choices: To a new vaper, or a smoker considering a change, the endless options presented by the vaping market can be overwhelming. With cigarettes, you choose a brand and light up, but with vaping there are literally millions of possible choices. That's why it's best to point the vape-curious toward easy-to-use products with simple instructions to get started, and then to good sources of further information (vape shops, forums, experienced vapers) as new vapers learn the finer points.

2. The vape learning curve: Maybe the biggest danger for a new vaper is buying a product that requires specialized knowledge. Often they wind up confused and frustrated, and regret trying to switch to vaping. Again, there is no need for a long learning curve! Simple starter products are almost always the best first choice.

3. Potential health risks: It's true that vaping is too new for us to understand every potential risk it could pose. But if you're using vaping to stay off cigarettes, you can rest easier knowing that you've distanced yourself from the well-documented dangers of smoking. The substances in cigarette smoke that make it uniquely harmful are either entirely absent from e-cig vapor or only present in tiny amounts. That makes it much safer for vapers, and also for bystanders subject to " secondhand vapor."

4. Vapers face smoking stigma: For almost 60 years, tobacco control has focused on smoking "denormalization," which is just a fancy word for stigmatizing smoking and smokers. Now the same drug war-style campaign to dehumanize people who smoke is being turned against vapers too. Because vaping looks like smoking to people who do neither, smokers who switch to safer vaping products are often disheartened to discover they face the same stigmatization, rooted in ignorance, fear and intolerance.

8. FDA regulations may eliminate vaping choices: The biggest government threat to vaping may be the Food and Drug Administration's Premarket Tobacco Application (PMTA) process. Manufacturers wishing to keep their products on the market were forced last fall to submit complex applications to prove the products are "appropriate for the protection of public health." Experts believe the FDA will use the PMTA process to wipe many of the best vaping products off the market. (Cigarettes were grandfathered onto the market without having to submit PMTAs, by the way.)

9. Finding the truth about vaping isn't easy: Vaping is a disruptive technology that threatens the tobacco industry, but it also threatens the powerful anti-smoking industry. It can be very hard for a smoker or new vaper to separate the lies from the truth about vaping, since these powerful foes advance their narratives in every kind of news outlet and even through allied federal agencies. Because there are lots of frightening stories about vaping. It's easy to get scared away.

By now you should have a better understanding about the pros and cons of vaping. There are a number of points on both sides. But if you consider that vaping is an alternative to smoking, it should be obvious that it's the best choice of the two. Although vaping is not the only way to combat cigarette addiction, all the other choices have pros and cons as well.

Vaping is successful because it offers nicotine and a smoking-like experience, but without the combustion products that make smoking deadly. But vaping isn't perfect, and it's not the answer for everyone. Whatever you decide, at least do it with a clear sense of the benefits and the downsides of vaping.

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9 Pros and Cons of Vaping You Should Consider

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What are the advantages and disadvantages of e-cigs? This guide covers the pros and cons of vaping so you can make an educated decision for yourself.

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I agree with Allison that smoking does have faster and worse effects than vaping but the fact that you aren't inhaling tar and ash when vaping makes it a safer choice.

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I agree with Sarah that there isn't a lot of research on vaping just yet. Vaping was created to help smokers find a way to quit but took a turn when vaping became popular with younger people. The way I see it is that people are going to do what they want if they know the effects or not. But at least we know that vaping is a slightly safer option.

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Vaping is very unhealthy and can have a detrimental impact on your lungs and heart. Although we do not yet know all of the long term effects of vaping, we do know that in most cases vaping leads to other unhealthy behavior such as smoking. Vaping even for a short amount of time leads to abnormal lung function. Vaping is closely related to smoking in the sense that it took 20-30 years to truly understand all of the harmful impacts of smoking. It might be a while before we uncover all of the effects of vaping, but it is better to be safe than sorry. The safest option is to stop vaping all together.

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Vaping has risks, regardless of what you vape. Starting to use e-cigarettes, or switching from cigarettes to e-cigarettes, increases your risk of devastating health effects. The safest option, according to the American Cancer Society, is to avoid both vaping and smoking altogether.

Research into the health effects of vaping is ongoing, and it may take some time before we understand the long-term risks.

Here's what we currently know about the effects of vaping fluids with and without nicotine, as well as vaping marijuana or CBD oil.

Preliminary research suggests vaping poses risks to heart health.

The authors of a 2019 review point out that e-liquid aerosols contain particulates, oxidizing agents, aldehydes, and nicotine. When inhaled, these aerosols most likely affect the heart and circulatory system.

A 2018 report from the National Academies Press (NAP) found significant evidence that taking a puff from a nicotine e-cigarette triggers an increase in heart rate.

The authors also described moderate evidence suggesting that taking a puff from an e-cigarette increases blood pressure. Both could affect heart health over the long term.

A 2019 study assessed data from a nationwide survey of nearly 450,000 participants and found no significant association between e-cigarette use and heart disease.

However, they did find that people who smoked both conventional cigarettes and e-cigarettes were more likely to have heart disease.

Another 2019 study based on the same nationwide survey found that e-cigarette use was associated with an increased risk of a stroke, heart attack, angina, and heart disease.

The authors of 2018 study used data from a different national health survey to come to a similar conclusion: Daily vaping is associated with an increased risk of heart attack, even when other lifestyle factors are taken into consideration.

Finally, a 2017 review of the cardiovascular effects of vaping indicates that e-cigarettes may pose certain risks to the heart and circulatory system, notably for people who already have some form of heart disease.

However, the researchers concluded that, overall, vaping is thought to be less harmful to the heart than smoking cigarettes.

Some studies suggest that vaping may have negative effects on the lungs, but more research is needed.

In particular, a 2015 study examined the effects of flavored e-juices on both human lung cells and lung cells in mice.

The researchers reported a number of adverse effects on both types of cells, including toxicity, oxidation, and inflammation. However, these results aren't necessarily generalizable to vaping in real life.

A 2018 study assessed the lung function of 10 people who had never smoked cigarettes immediately after vaping fluids either with or without nicotine.

The researchers concluded that vaping both with and without nicotine disrupts normal lung function in otherwise healthy people.

However, this study had a small sample size, which means the results may not apply to everyone.

The same 2018 report from the NAP found that there's some evidence that e-cigarette exposure has adverse effects on the respiratory system, but that additional studies are required to understand the extent to which vaping contributes to respiratory diseases.

Finally, lung health effects are not expected to be seen for 20 to 30 years. This is why it took as long as it did for the negative health effects of cigarettes to be widely recognized. The full magnitude of effects of toxic e-cigarette ingredients may not be known for another 3 decades.

Vaping appears to have a number of negative effects on oral health.

For instance, a 2018 study reported that exposure to e-cigarette aerosol makes teeth surfaces more prone to developing bacteria. The authors concluded that vaping may increase the risk of cavities.

Another study from 2016 suggests that vaping is associated with gum inflammation, a known factor in the development of periodontal diseases.

Similarly, a 2014 review reported that vaping may trigger irritation in the gums, mouth, and throat.

Finally, the same NAP report from 2018 concluded there's some evidence that both nicotine and nicotine-free e-cigarettes can damage oral cells and tissues in people who don't smoke cigarettes.

The 2018 report from NAP found substantial evidence that vaping causes cell dysfunction, oxidative stress, and damage to DNA.

Some of these cellular changes have been linked to the development of cancer over the long term, though there's currently no evidence to suggest that vaping causes cancer.

Vaping may also have specific adverse effects on certain groups, particularly young people.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that vaping with nicotine can permanently affect brain development in people under the age of 25.

It's possible that we don't yet know all the physical effects of vaping.

The long-term effects of smoking cigarettes are well-documented, and include an increased risk of stroke, heart disease, and lung cancer.

According to the , cigarette smoking causes nearly 1 out of every 5 deaths in the United States.

Vaping might appear to be a less risky choice for people who are trying to quit smoking. However, that doesn't mean there aren't risks involved, even if the vape liquid is nicotine-free.

There is limited evidence to date of the long-term effects of vaping, because we know the lung effects of vaping will take decades to develop. But based on the experience with cigarettes, similar adverse health effects including COPD, heart disease, and cancer can be expected.

Secondhand vapor vs. secondhand smoke

Secondhand exposure to e-cigarette vapor is said to be less toxic than secondhand exposure to cigarette smoke. However, secondhand vapor is still a form of air pollution that probably poses health risks.

According to the 2018 NAP report, secondhand vapor contains nicotine, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at concentrations that are above recommended levels.

More research needs to be done to understand the long-term health effects of secondhand exposure to e-cigarette vapor.

Juuling refers to vaping with a specific e-cigarette brand. It carries the same health risks as vaping.

A Juul is a thin, rectangular e-cigarette that can be charged in a USB port.

The e-liquid comes in a cartridge called a Juulpod or J-pod, and it usually contains nicotine.

Vaping is not safe, with or without nicotine. But vaping nicotine-containing products further increases the risk of addiction.

Nicotine dependence is one of the major risks of vaping with nicotine. A 2015 study suggests that people who vape with nicotine are more likely to become dependent on nicotine than people who vape without nicotine.

Vaping with nicotine is especially risky for young people. Young people who vape with nicotine are more likely to start smoking cigarettes in the future.

However, e-cigarettes still pose health risks, even without nicotine.

Nicotine-free e-juice contains a number of potentially toxic chemicals, such as base liquids and flavoring agents.

Studies suggest that nicotine-free vaping can irritate the respiratory system, cause cell death, trigger inflammation, and harm blood vessels.

More research needs to be done in order to understand the side effects of nicotine-free vaping.

If you vape marijuana, side effects can include:

impaired coordination

impaired memory

difficulties problem-solving

nausea and vomiting

increased heart rate

dependence in the long term

There's almost no research on the side effects of vaping CBD. However, some reported side effects of using CBD oil include:

These side effects tend to be mild.

Marijuana and CBD e-liquids usually contain other chemicals, such as base liquids or flavoring agents. They may cause side effects similar to those of nicotine-free e-cigarettes.

The fluid flavor does matter. A 2016 report indicated that many vape fluids contain flavoring agents at concentrations that may pose risks to users.

Another study from 2016 tested more than 50 e-juice flavors. The researchers found that 92 percent of the flavors tested for one of three potentially harmful chemicals: diacetyl, acetylpropionyl, or acetoin.

Researchers in a 2018 study found that cinnamaldehyde (found in cinnamon), o-vanillin (found in vanilla), and pentanedione (found in honey) all had toxic effects on cells.

It's difficult to know for sure which flavors contain respiratory irritants, as ingredients tend to differ from one brand to the next.

To be safe, you might want to avoid the flavors listed below:

If you're concerned about the side effects of vaping, you might want to avoid the following ingredients:

acetoin

acetyl propionyl

acrolein

acrylamide

acrylonitrile

benzaldehyde

cinnamaldehyde

citral

crotonaldehyde

diacetyl

ethylvanillin

eucalyptol

formaldehyde

o-vanillin

pentanedione (2,3-pentanedione)

propylene oxide

pulegone

vanillin

The above ingredients are known irritants.

If you're concerned about the adverse effects of vaping, try the following:

Ask for a list of ingredients

Contact the manufacturer to ask for a list of ingredients in your vape fluid. If the manufacturer can't provide a list of ingredients, it might be a sign of a not-so-safe product.

Avoid flavored vape juices

Unflavored vape juices are less likely to contain potentially toxic flavoring agents.

Taper nicotine

If you're using vaping to quit smoking, you should gradually reduce your dose of nicotine. Transitioning to nicotine-free vaping can help you minimize side effects.

Drink plenty of fluids

Drink water right after you vape to prevent symptoms such as dry mouth and dehydration.

Brush your teeth after

To reduce oral side effects after vaping, brush to clean the surface of your teeth.

It can't hurt to talk to a doctor or other healthcare professional about the risks of vaping, especially if you already have a chronic health condition, such as asthma.

You may also want to make an appointment with a doctor if you think vaping is behind any new symptoms, such as coughing, difficulty breathing, or increased heart rate.

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Vaping has risks, regardless of what you vape. Although vaping is less risky than smoking cigarettes, the safest option is to avoid vaping and smoking altogether. Read on to learn how vaping can affect your heart and lungs, which fluid flavors carry the most risk, ways to minimize these negative effects, and more.

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I agree that vaping is just as bad a smoking. It damages your lungs and has a detrimental impact on your health. I also agree that vaping will most likely result in the later use of cigarettes, and increases your risk for other bacterial infections while simultaneously lowering your immune system.

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I strongly agree that vaping and smoking are both extremely bad for your health. Just because we do not know all of the long term effects doesn't mean that it is harmless. We are still seeing drastic impacts on the health of people who vape, and this is just the beginning.

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Vaping is just as bad as smoking cause it does damage to your lungs. Damage to your lungs is becoming more common with vaping. Even though smoking does have faster and worst effects then vaping, Vaping still leads to an unhealthy choice. It is extremely common that vaping will lead you to smoking. Vaping also weakens the immune system which increases the risk of having other bacteria infections.
https://uichildrens.org/health-library/smoking-vs-vaping-there-difference

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Even though we treat vaping as a "healthier alternative" to smoking, I personally believe that it's much worse for you if not just as bad as smoking. Cigarettes are largely regulated and controlled by the same companies that they have been for at least a century now, and we know the long term effects very well. Both result in the absorption of heavy metals into the lungs, but vapes tend to have a higher concentration and have had less medical research done on them. In short, vapes are a sort of wild card. There have been instances of them blowing up and resulting in severe chemical burns (something cigarettes are not infamous for). Furthermore, addiction is something to be considered. The levels of nicotine are roughly standard in cigarettes whereas vapes can offer more of a buzz. Overall, it's my general opinion that vapes are just as bad.

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Vaping and smoking are equally as bad in my opinion because they both have a detrimental affect on your lungs. Because vaping is fairly new, doctors still don't know all the long-term effects but we know that they are very unhealthy.

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I agree that vaping and smoking are very bad for you. Because vaping is so new, doctors still don't know all the long-term effects but that doesn't mean that their good for you.

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I agree that they are both equally as bad. I also agree that vaping might eventually result in smoking.

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I agree with Taylor on the fact that their is not enough research and evidence to prove that vaping is 100% better than smoking but so far their are several factors that make vaping better that smoking in certain ways. They may or may not have more chemicals than cigarettes but they definitely do not have the amount of tar that regular cigarettes have.

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due to the fact that vapes lack the tar that smoking cigarettes include, it's easy to define that vaping is still "bad", but it's not quite as damaging as inhaling cigarette smoke. vapes also can include nicotine or not, so the option of a nicotine addiction being developed due to vaping is only as likely as you are to choose a vape with nicotine in it and choosing a higher or lower amount if you do choose to have a vape with nicotine in it.
also, they usually smell better. so it's a bit better for the people around you if you choose to vape instead of smoke. But in the end it is a choice given to those who choose to and any attempt to deter them probably just makes them want to do it more. so it's important to inform people about the dangers of inhaling things into your lungs that shouldn't be there, but in the end we shouldn't be telling them what to do or not.
(i don't have any sources because i did research on this before and am using my prior information)

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vaping is bad, sarah, but it can technically be more easily controlled, if one has the self discipline, than smoking cigarettes. you can't get cigarettes without the nicotine because without the addiction honestly who would want them?
i agree with savannah because if only for the fact that cigarettes include things like tar and ash

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Smoking negatively effects almost every organ in your body. Even though vaping isn't the healthiest choice, you're still being exposed to less toxic chemicals.

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Mens Health Heart Health Know Your Heart Risks

Reviewed By:

If you have thought about trying to kick a smoking habit, you're not alone. Nearly 7 of 10 smokers say they want to stop. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health - smoking harms nearly every organ in your body, including your heart. Nearly one-third of deaths from heart disease are the result of smoking and secondhand smoke.

You might be tempted to turn to electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes, vape pens, and other nondisposable and disposable vaping devices) as a way to ease the transition from traditional cigarettes to not smoking at all. But is smoking e-cigarettes (also called vaping) better for you than using tobacco products? Can e-cigarettes help you to stop smoking once and for all? Michael Blaha, M.D., M.P.H., director of clinical research at the Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease, shares health information about vaping.

1: Vaping is less harmful than smoking, but it's still not safe.

E-cigarettes heat nicotine (extracted from tobacco), flavorings and other chemicals to create an aerosol that you inhale. Regular tobacco cigarettes contain 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic. While we don't know exactly what chemicals are in e-cigarettes, Blaha says "There's almost no doubt that vaping exposes you to fewer toxic chemicals than smoking traditional cigarettes."

However, there has been an outbreak of lung injuries and deaths associated with vaping. In February 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 2,807 cases of e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury (EVALI) and 68 deaths attributed to that condition.

"These cases appear to predominantly affect people who modify their vaping devices or use black market modified e-liquids. This is especially true for vaping products containing THC," explains Blaha.

The CDC has identified vitamin E acetate as a chemical of concern among people with EVALI. Vitamin E acetate is a thickening agent often used in THC vaping products, and it was found in all lung fluid samples of EVALI patients examined by the CDC.

The CDC recommends that people:

Do not use THC-containing e-cigarettes or vaping products.

Avoid using informal sources, such as friends, family or online dealers to obtain a vaping device.

Do not modify or add any substances to a vaping device that are not intended by the manufacturer.

Research from The Johns Hopkins University on vape ingredients published in October 2021 reveals thousands of chemical ingredients in vape products, most of which are not yet identified. Among those the team could identify were several potentially harmful substances, including caffeine, three chemicals never previously found in e-cigarettes, a pesticide and two flavorings linked with possible toxic effects and respiratory irritation.

2: Research suggests vaping is bad for your heart and lungs.

Nicotine is the primary agent in regular cigarettes and e-cigarettes, and it is highly addictive. It causes you to crave a smoke and suffer withdrawal symptoms if you ignore the craving. Nicotine is a toxic substance. It raises your blood pressure and spikes your adrenaline, which increases your heart rate and the likelihood of having a heart attack.

Is vaping bad for you? There are many unknowns about vaping, including what chemicals make up the vapor and how they affect physical health over the long term. "People need to understand that e-cigarettes are potentially dangerous to your health," says Blaha. "Emerging data suggests links to chronic lung disease and asthma, as well as associations between dual use of e-cigarettes and smoking with cardiovascular disease. You're exposing yourself to all kinds of chemicals that we don't yet understand and that are probably not safe."

3: Electronic cigarettes are just as addictive as traditional ones.

Both e-cigarettes and regular cigarettes contain nicotine, which research suggests may be as addictive as heroin and cocaine. What's worse, says Blaha, many e-cigarette users get even more nicotine than they would from a combustible tobacco product: Users can buy extra-strength cartridges, which have a higher concentration of nicotine, or increase the e-cigarette's voltage to get a greater hit of the substance.

Does Vaping Lead to Smoking?

4: Electronic cigarettes aren't the best smoking cessation tool.

Although they've been promoted as an aid to help you quit smoking, e-cigarettes have not received Food and Drug Administration approval as smoking cessation devices. A recent study found that most people who intended to use e-cigarettes to kick the nicotine habit ended up continuing to use traditional and e-cigarettes.

In light of the EVALI outbreak, the CDC advises people who use e-cigarettes for smoking cessation to weigh the risks and benefits and first consider use of other FDA-approved smoking cessation options.

5: A new generation is getting hooked on nicotine.

Among youth, e-cigarettes, especially the disposable kind, are more popular than any traditional tobacco product. According to the 2021 National Youth Tobacco Survey, more than 2 million U.S. middle and high school students reported using e-cigarettes in 2021, with more than 8 in 10 of those youth using flavored e-cigarettes.

According to Blaha, there are three reasons e-cigarettes may be particularly enticing to young people. First, many teens believe vaping is less harmful than smoking. Second, e-cigarettes have a lower per-use cost than traditional cigarettes. Finally, youths and adults find the lack of smoke appealing. With no smell, e-cigarettes reduce some of the stigma of smoking.

"What I find most concerning about the rise of vaping is that people who would've never smoked otherwise, especially youth, are taking up the habit," says Blaha. "It's one thing if you convert from cigarette smoking to vaping. It's quite another thing to start up nicotine use with vaping. And, getting hooked on nicotine often leads to using traditional tobacco products down the road."

Research from the CDC shows that vaping among youth has declined somewhat since 2020. Kids being stuck at home under their parents' supervision during the COVID-19 pandemic could contribute to that trend.

But, Blaha says, interpreting the data is tricky, since young people change their preferences often, and, when surveyed, may not consider using disposable products such as "puff bars" as vaping. The same CDC report says disposable e-cigarette use has increased 1,000% among high school students and 400% among middle school students since 2019.

Vaping and the COVID-19 Pandemic

When the coronavirus pandemic first began, Blaha says, data show that e-cigarette sales went down, possibly because people were spending more time at home and avoiding stores and public areas.

But Blaha sees a trend that concerns him: rising rates of daily e-cigarette use among all vape users. "The number of people who vaped daily used to be 1 in 5, but now it's up quite a bit, which is concerning because it implies more nicotine addiction. I'm keeping a close eye on that."

Vaping, smoking and other lung irritants can compound the respiratory problems associated with COVID-19.

Want to quit smoking?

There's a strong link between smoking and cardiovascular disease, and between smoking and cancer. But the sooner you quit, the quicker your body can rebound and repair itself. Talk to your doctor about which smoking cessation program or tools would be best for you.

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Smoking electronic cigarettes is often considered safer than regular smoking. Learn facts about vaping and why you should rethink taking it up.

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I agree with Savannah. Vaping is fairly new meaning there's less research on it so we don't know all the health risks.
I disagree with Taylor. Yes smoking and vaping is bad but vaping isnt as bad as smoking. Yes there is a lot of stuff we don't know yet about vaping, it is shown to be a less harmful alternative.

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I agree with savannah's perspective about the vapes, they have more potential for unseen long-term effects. I disagree with Brennah only on the notion that vapes contain less harmful chemicals. They aren't necessarily any better for you, only different.

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Vaping is not a good choice but it is not associated with heart diseases. It is however, associated with a increases risk of heart attacks.

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Vaping isn’t as risky as smoking cigarettes, but it still has negative side effects. Find out which fluid flavors carry the most risk, ingredients to avoid, and more.

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I think that Sarah is right about how vaping is more popular among younger people. I feel like Morgan is right as well because most of the effects of smoking are seen in older people, so that might be why vaping is considered less harmful now.

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While vaping is an alternative to smoking, it still does not come without risks. One of the most harmful chemicals, nicotine, is still present. They have also been linked to an increase in chance of developing cancer. They may have their benefits, such as weaning smokers off of nicotine, they are in no way unique in this aspect. Overall, vapes should be avoided by all other than those looking to quit smoking.

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Can vaping damage your lungs? What we do (and don’t) know - Harvard Health

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Vaping can cause significant health risks, including lung disease. Learn the dangers of vaping and nicotine.…

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Vaping doesn't contain tobacco like cigarettes do but it still isn't a good health choice because it still has nicotine.

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Laura Gottschalk, PhD, John-Anthony Fraga, Jared Hirschfield, Diana Zuckerman, PhD, National Center for Health Research

Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, are being marketed as the "safe" new alternative to conventional cigarettes. By February 2020, reports of 68 deaths and more than 2,800 vaping-related hospitalizations due to lung illnesses have made it clear that vaping can be even more dangerous than smoking. 1,2 On June 23, 2022 the FDA ordered Juul to stop selling their e-cigarettes in the US, citing concerns about the company's "insufficient and conflicting data" on toxicity. ³ Although the FDA did not express concerns about an immediate hazard, they were concerned about the longer term safety from the use of JUUL devices or pods, raising questions about whether the possible benefits of reducing smoking outweigh the risks from these products.

The CDC has reported that Vitamin E acetate is a potential cause for the outbreak, but it might not be the only one. ² Many of the patients report vaping marijuana products or marijuana and nicotine products, but others only vaped nicotine products. Until these reports of hospitalized teens and adults are scrutinized in greater depth, we won't know what types of vaping are most dangerous and under what circumstances.

E-cigarettes come in a variety of forms and include vape mods, Juuls, and vape pens. There are brand name products (Juul is the most widely used) and "home-made" versions. Some contain high levels of nicotine, while others contain marijuana or just contain flavoring. The focus of this article is on e-cigarettes because most of the research that exists has been done on them, but much of the information below is relevant to these other products as well.

The big questions are: Are they safe? Will they reverse the decline in smoking-giving new life to an old habit-or can they help people quit smoking? Here is what you need to know.

What are E-cigarettes?

E-cigarettes are battery-operated devices that were initially shaped like cigarettes, but now include vape mods, Juuls, and vape pens. Some look like flash drives or highlighter pens, making it easy for teens to hide them in plain sight. The brand-name products contain nicotine, an addictive drug that is naturally found in tobacco and that stimulates, causes stress during withdrawal, and then feels relaxing as continued exposure follows withdrawal. It is the nicotine in cigarettes that makes smoking so addictive, and the same is true for most vaping and juuling. These electronic products allow nicotine to be inhaled, and they work by heating a liquid cartridge containing nicotine, flavors, and other chemicals into a vapor. Because e-cigarettes heat a liquid instead of tobacco, what is released is considered smokeless. ⁴

Is Vaping Safer than Smoking Traditional Cigarettes?

The key difference between traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes and related products is that the latter don't contain tobacco. But, it isn't just the tobacco in cigarettes that causes cancer and other serious diseases. Traditional cigarettes contain a laundry list of chemicals that are proven harmful, and e-cigarettes have some of these same chemicals.

While smoking can cause lung cancer, breast cancer, emphysema, heart disease, and other serious diseases, those diseases usually develop after decades of smoking. In contrast, in 2019 it became clear that vaping could cause seizures and serious lung damage after just a year, possibly less, based on CDC reports of patients hospitalized for lung damage caused by vaping. 2,4 While there have been warnings about the possible risk of e-cigarettes for a decade, it was not expected that they could cause such severe damage in such a short period of time.

Some e-cigarette users also smoke marijuana and/or conventional cigarettes, and it is important to know if e-cigarette use alone can lead to breathing problems, independently of other types of smoking. A survey of almost 3,000 teens and young adults found that even when statistically controlling for whether they also smoking marijuana or conventional cigarettes, those who reported e-cigarette use in the last 30 days were statistically significantly more likely than non e-cigarette users to report problems with wheezing and shortness of breath. ⁵

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised even more concerns about the safety of vaping. Youths aged 13-24 years old who have used e-cigarettes are more likely to be diagnosed with COVID-19, be tested for the virus, and to experience C OVID -19 symptoms.

Since 2009, FDA has pointed out that e-cigarettes contain "detectable levels of known carcinogens and toxic chemicals to which users could be exposed." For example, in e-cigarette cartridges marketed as "tobacco-free," the FDA detected a toxic compound found in antifreeze, tobacco-specific compounds that have been shown to cause cancer in humans, and other toxic tobacco-specific impurities. Another study looked at 42 of these liquid cartridges and determined that they contained formaldehyde, a chemical known to cause cancer in humans.Formaldehyde was found in several of the cartridges at levels much higher than the maximum EPA recommends for humans. In 2017, a study published in the Public Library of Science Journal showed that significant levels of benzene, a well-known carcinogen, were found in the vapor produced by several popular brands of e-cigarettes. ⁷ ⁸ ⁹

The body's reaction to many of the chemicals in traditional cigarette smoke causes long-lasting inflammation, which in turn leads to chronic diseases like bronchitis, emphysema, and heart disease. ¹⁰ Since e-cigarettes also contain many of the same toxic chemicals, there is no reason to believe that they will significantly reduce the risks for these diseases.

In fact, a preliminary study presented at the 2018 annual meeting of the American Chemical Society found that vaping could damage DNA . ¹¹ The study examined the saliva of 5 adults before and after a 15-minute vaping session. The saliva had an increase in potentially dangerous chemicals, such as formaldehyde and acrolein. Acrolein has been proven to be associated with DNA damage, for example, and DNA damage can eventually cause cancer. ¹²

A study of mice funded by the National Institutes of Health found that e-cigarette smoke could cause mutations in DNA that could increase the risk of cancer. These specific mutations have been shown to potentially contribute to the development of lung and bladder cancer in mice exposed to electronic cigarette smoke. The researchers claim that these chemicals could also induce mutations leading to cancer in humans. It has not been reported how many of those harmed had used juul devices. While many of those harmed had vaped marijuana, many also used nicotine e-cigarettes, so the risks of "juuling" need to be carefully and immediately studied.

Because they are smokeless, many incorrectly assume that e-cigarettes are safer for non-smokers and the environment than traditional cigarettes. However, a study published in the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health found that the use of e-cigarettes results in increased concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and airborne particles, both of which are potentially harmful when inhaled. Although e-cigarette vapor may not result in the obvious smell and visible smoke of traditional cigarettes, it still has a negative impact on air quality, especially when vaping indoors.

There are no long-term studies to back up claims that the vapor from e-cigarettes is less harmful than conventional smoke. Cancer takes years to develop, and e-cigarettes were only very recently introduced to the United States. It is almost impossible to determine if a product increases a person's risk of cancer or not until the product has been around for at least 15-20 years. Despite positive reviews from e-cigarette users who enjoy being able to smoke them where regular cigarettes are prohibited, very little is known about their safety and long-term health effects.

There is also danger from e-cigarettes exploding in the user's mouth or face. In 2018, the British Medical Journal used data from several agencies to estimate that there were roughly 2,035 e-cigarette explosions and burn injuries in the U.S. just in a three-year period from 2015 to 2017. One of the authors of the study stated that the number was likely higher as such incidents were not well tracked. The report also said that e-cigarettes, commonly powered by a lithium-ion battery, could overheat to the point of catching fire or exploding, a phenomenon known as "thermal runway."

Can Vaping Help to Cut Down or Quit Smoking Regular Cigarettes?

If a company makes a claim that its product can be used to treat a disease or addiction, like nicotine addiction, it must provide studies to the FDA showing that its product is safe and effective for that use. On the basis of those studies, the FDA approves or doesn't approve the product. So far, there are no large, high-quality studies looking at whether e-cigarettes can be used to cut down or quit smoking long-term. Most of the studies have been either very short term (6 months or less) or the participants were not randomly assigned to different methods to quit smoking, including e-cigarettes. Many of the studies are based on self-reported use of e-cigarettes. For example, a study done in four countries found that e-cigarette users were not more likely to quit than regular smokers even though 85% of them said they were using them to quit. Year-long studies conducted in the U.S. had similar findings. A study published in a prestigious medical journal in 2014 found that although smokers may believe they are vaping e-cigarettes to help them quit, 6-12 months after being first interviewed, nearly all of them are still smoking regular cigarettes. Similarly, a year-long study published in 2018 compared smokers who used e-cigarettes to traditional cigarette smokers, and concluded that e-cigarette users were more likely to say they were trying to quit but no more likely to successfully kick the smoking habit, with 90% of e-cigarette users still smoking regular cigarettes at the end of the study. Until there are results from well-conducted studies, the FDA will not approve e-cigarettes for use in quitting smoking.

Teenagers, Children, and Vaping

According to survey data collected between 2014 and 2017, 9% of middle and high schoolers reported that they were current vaping users. Vaping was most common among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (18%), as well as American Indian and Alaskan Native teens (13%), and least common among Black (5%) and Asian teens (4%). By 2019, Two 2020 surveys conducted before the pandemic closed many schools, found vaping had decreased somewhat: 1) A CDC study analyzing data from over 14,000 students, found that about 20% of 9th-12th grade students and 5% of 6th-8th grade students reported that they used e-cigarettes in the last 30 days; ²⁰ about 28% of high schoolers and 11% of middle schoolers reported e-cigarette use, with most using flavored products. ²¹ ²² 2) Researchers from the University of Michigan studied over 8,000 students in the 10th and 12th grades found that 22% reported vaping in the last 30 days. ²³ E-cigarette use may have dropped due to growing media coverage of young men hospitalized with serious lung damage. The drop may also be due to raising the legal age for the purchase of tobacco products and the ban on many flavored products.

An online survey conducted in May 2020 measured how e-cigarette use changed during the pandemic, during a time where many people are staying at home. ²⁵ The survey included almost 1,500 participants under 21 (the legal age to purchase tobacco products) who reported e-cigarette use. Over half of the underage e-cigarette users who responded to the survey reported that they had changed their e-cigarette use during the pandemic. About 20% of the sample had quit using e-cigarettes altogether, about 17% reduced their use slightly or by half, and another 9% actually increased their nicotine use.

The researchers followed up by asking those participants who reduced their e-cigarette use for the reasons why they lowered it. About 14% reported that the primary reason for reducing was because they were at home and their parents would know, 18% said the primary reason was because they can no longer get the tobacco products, 23% said it was because they know e-cigarette use harms the lungs, and another 37% said that their reasons were a combination of those 3 reasons. Of those who increased their use during the pandemic, about 25% reported that it was due to boredom, 15% because they were stressed, 7% because they needed a distraction, and about 50% said that their reasons were a combination of those 3 reasons.

Future research is needed to measure whether e-cigarette use has changed even more as the pandemic has continued, as well as to measure the overall percent of youth still using e-cigarettes.

E-cigarette and juul use by young people is worrisome for several reasons:

1. The younger people are when they begin smoking, the more likely it is they will develop the habit: nearly 9 out of 10 smokers started before they were 18.²⁶

2. Nicotine and other chemicals found in e-cigarettes, juuls, etc. might harm brain development in younger people.²⁷

3. Vaping may introduce many more young people to smoking who might otherwise never have tried it, and once they are addicted to nicotine, some may decide to get their "fix" from regular cigarettes. Whether vaping or juuling is a "gateway" to regular cigarettes or not, young people who use them risk becoming addicted to nicotine and exposing their lungs to harmful chemicals.

4. While smoking can cause permanent lung damage over the years, vaping can cause inflammation resulting in hospitalization and permanent damage after just a few weeks or months.28,29

The sharp rise in vaping among youth highlights the need to stop manufacturers from targeting teenagers with candy-like flavors and advertising campaigns. Although the FDA banned flavors for reusable vape devices, flavored disposable e-cigarettes are still being However, in July 2020, FDA issued warnings to 10 companies selling flavored disposable e-cigarettes, notifying them to remove their products from the market because they do not have the authorizations required to sell them

Even children who are too young to smoke have been harmed by e-cigarettes and related products. The liquid is highly concentrated, so absorbing it through the skin or swallowing it is far more likely to require an emergency room visit than eating or swallowing regular cigarettes. In 2012, less than 50 kids under the age of six were reported to poison control hotlines per month because of e-cigarettes. In 2015, that number had skyrocketed to about 200 children a month, almost half of which were under the age of two! ³¹

Many e-cigarettes look like USB devices, and some are made to look like other products, in order to disguise their use. The Director of Communications at the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products has written this guide to help parents identify these hidden e-cigarettes. The FDA has also helped create this pamphlet for parents and teens to discuss the risks of vaping, and it provides resources for saying "no" and for quitting.
For more information about juuls, check out our article here.
If They Aren't Safe, Why Can They Be Sold in the U.S.?

The FDA was given the power to regulate the manufacturing, labeling, distribution and marketing of all tobacco products in 2009 when President Obama signed into law the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act and in 2010 a court ruled that the FDA could regulate e-cigarettes as tobacco products. ³²

However, it wasn't until 2016 that the FDA finalized a rule to ban the sale of e-cigarettes to anyone under the age of 18 and to require all e-cigarettes that hit shelves after February 15, 2007 to go through a "premarket review," the process that the FDA uses to determine whether a medical product is safe. ²⁶ Companies were to be given from 18-24 months to prepare their applications. However, in 2017, the Trump administration appointed a new FDA Commissioner, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, who defended the safety of e-cigarettes and delayed implementing the rules until 2022. ¹¹ As the epidemic of e-cigarette use among youth became obvious, in 2018 Commissioner Gottlieb threatened to crack down on the advertising of e-cigarettes to children under 18, ³³ although online sales and ads are difficult to restrict. Commissioner Gottlieb resigned in 2019, and in 2019, a federal court ruled that the FDA must implement regulations in May 2020 instead of waiting until 2022.

In September 2019, amid growing evidence of teens hospitalized from vaping, President Trump proposed a ban on all flavored e-cigarettes. No action was taken until January 2020, when Trump weakened his proposal so that it did not include a ban on menthol or tobacco flavored e-cigarettes or on large tank-style e-cigarettes.

The Biden Administration took action starting in January 2021, and for the first 8 months the FDA issued 169 warning letters to firms who manufacture and sell unauthorized e-cigarettes and vaping products with nicotine, advising them that it is illegal to sell their products because the companies did not submit an application to do so by the Sept. 9, 2020 deadline. Also in August 2021, FDA warned two companies that submitted applications by September 9, 2020 that did not meet FDA standards, and one company that submitted an application for some but not all of their products, to stop selling the products that were not authorized to be sold.

A federal court order required vape and e-cigarette companies to submit marketing applications to the FDA by September 2020, and their products were allowed to stay on the market for up to 1 year while the FDA reviewed their applications. ³³ During that year, the FDA rejected the applications for more than 1 million flavored vape products. ³⁵ In October 2021, the FDA authorized the marketing of three vaping products (Vuse Solo products), but rejected some flavored products from that same brand (although the FDA has not disclosed which flavors are banned and has yet to make a decision on their menthol products). As of December 2021, the FDA has yet to make a decision about many of the top vape brands, such as Juul. ³⁴

The Bottom Line

E-cigarettes, juuls, and other similar products have not been around long enough to conclusively determine the harm they cause in the long run. Unfortunately, many people, including teenagers, are under the impression that e-cigarettes are safe or that they are effective in helping people quit smoking regular cigarettes. Studies by the FDA show that e-cigarettes contain some of the same toxic chemicals as regular cigarettes, even though they don't have tobacco. There is evidence that some of these toxic chemicals can cause DNA damage that can cause cancer. More important, the reports of teens and adults who died or were hospitalized due to vaping are proof that vaping can be extremely dangerous even after just a few weeks, months, or years.

The big three tobacco companies-Lorillard, Reynolds American, and Altria Group-all have their own e-cigarette brands, so it's not surprising that e-cigarettes are being marketed and advertised much the way regular cigarettes used to be. Here are the 7 Ways E-Cigarette Companies Are Copying Big Tobacco's Playbook.

Although there are clearly serious dangers from vaping, more research is needed to confirm the impact of vaping on DNA damage, especially in children. Meanwhile, claims that e-cigarettes are an effective strategy to quit smoking are not supported by the evidence. More toxicological studies and epidemiological studies are needed to understand the hundreds of reports of permanent lung damage and deaths from vaping, and to find out whether some types of vaping are more dangerous than others in the short-term and the long-term. To understand the risks for everyone who vapes, research is needed to compare the risks of specific brands of e-cigarettes with tobacco products, as well as to neither smoking nor vaping.
All articles are reviewed and approved by Dr. Diana Zuckerman and other senior staff. The National Center for Health Research is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research, education and advocacy organization that analyzes and explains the latest medical research and speaks out on policies and programs. We do not accept funding from pharmaceutical companies or medical device manufacturers. Find out how you can support us here.

1. Robert Langreth. More Evidence Links Vaping Lung Injuries to Vitamin E Acetate. December 20, 2019. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-12-20/more-evidence-links-vaping-lung-injuries-to-vitamin-e-acetate

2. FDA Denies Authorization to Market JUUL Products. 2022. FDA. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-denies-authorization-market-juul-products. Accessed June 23, 2022.

3. Boyles S. Vaping Alone May Boost Lung Troubles. MedPageToday. https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/ats/92663 . May 18, 2021.

4. Gaiha SM, Cheng J, Halpern-Felsher B. Association between youth smoking, electronic cigarette use, and COVID-19. Journal of Adolescent Health. 2020;67(4):519-523. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.07.002

5. Food and Drug Administration. Summary of Results: Laboratory analysis of electronic cigarettes conducted By FDA. FDA News & Events. July 22 2009.

6. McGinley, L. FDA sued for delaying e-cigarette, cigar regulations. Washington Post. March 27 2018. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2018/03/27/fda-sued-for-delaying-e-cigarette-cigar-regulations/?utm_term=.f92695720619 .

7. Robert Langreth. More Evidence Links Vaping Lung Injuries to Vitamin E Acetate. December 20, 2019. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-12-20/more-evidence-links-vaping-lung-injuries-to-vitamin-e-acetate

8. Food and Drug Administration. Electronic Cigarettes. FDA News & Events. 25 July 2013.

9. Odani S, Armour BS, Agaku IT. Racial/ethnic disparities in tobacco product use among middle and high school students-United States, 2014-2017. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2018 Aug 31;67(34):952.

10. Cullen KA, Gentzke AS, Sawdey MD, Chang JT, Anic GM, Wang TW, Creamer MR, Jamal A, Ambrose BK, King BA. E-cigarette use among youth in the United States, 2019. . 2019 Dec 3;322(21):2095-103.

11. Gentzke AS, Wang TW, Jamal A, et al. Tobacco Product Use Among Middle and High School Students - United States, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:1881-1888. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6950a1external icon.

12. Miech R, Leventhal A, Johnston L, O'Malley PM, Patrick ME, Barrington-Trimis J. Trends in Use and Perceptions of Nicotine Vaping Among US Youth From 2017 to 2020. JAMA Pediatrics. Published online December 15, 2020. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2020.5667

13. Grady D. A Young Man Nearly Lost His Life to Vaping. The New York Times. October 15, 2019. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/15/health/vaping-thc-illness.html

14. Stobbe S, Perrone M. Big drop reported in vaping by US teenagers. Associated Press . September 9, 2020. https://apnews.com/c5524d4c1e7f9148c3293cc3677c0fe5

15. Gaiha SM, Lempert LK, Halpern-Felsher B. Underage Youth and Young Adult e-Cigarette Use and Access Before and During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic. JAMA Network Open. 2020 Dec 1;3(12):e2027572-.

16. Scutti S. Teen develops 'wet lung' after vaping for just 3 weeks. . May 18, 2018. https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/17/health/case-study-teen-vaping-wet-lung/index.html

17. Song MA, Reisinger SA, Freudenheim JL, Brasky TM, Mathé EA, McElroy JP, Nickerson QA, Weng DY, Wewers MD, Shields PG. Effects of electronic cigarette constituents on the human lung: A pilot clinical trial. Cancer Prevention Research . 2020 Feb 1;13(2):145-52.

18. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Notifies Companies, Including Puff Bar, to Remove Flavored Disposable E-Cigarettes and Youth-Appealing E-Liquids from Market for Not Having Required Authorization. Updated July 2020. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-notifies-companies-including-puff-bar-remove-flavored-disposable-e-cigarettes-and-youth

19. Food and Drug Administration. Regulation of E-Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products. FDA News & Events. April 25, 2011.

20. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Permits Marketing of E-Cigarette Products, Marking First Authorization of Its Kind by the Agency. October 12, 2021. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-permits-marketing-e-cigarette-products-marking-first-authorization-its-kind-agency

21. Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. New Report: E-Cigarettes in Kid-Friendly Flavors Remain Widely Available Three Months After Deadline for FDA Action. Press Release. December 17, 2021. https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/press-releases/2021_12_17_flavor-report?

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Is Vaping Safer than Smoking Cigarettes?

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Laura Gottschalk, PhD, John-Anthony Fraga, Jared Hirschfield, Diana Zuckerman, PhD, National Center for Health Research Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, are being marketed as the "safe" new alternative to conventional cigarettes. By February 2020, reports of 68 deaths and more than 2,800 vaping-related hospitalizations due to lung illnesses have made it clear that vaping can be even more dangerous than smoking.

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Vapes contain nicotine like cigarettes do along with other heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead. Breathing in these contaminates are toxic and can cause lung injury.

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The increase in e-cigarette use, particularly among young people, is a dangerous trend with real health risks. For many reasons, e-cigarettes should not be promoted as a safe alternative to smoking.

While fewer people are smoking or starting to smoke than ever before, many are using other forms of tobacco and electronic nicotine delivery systems. The increase in e-cigarette use (also called vaping) by kids and young people in recent years is a serious public health threat.

The battery-operated devices come in many forms and can look like conventional cigarettes, pens or even sleek tech gadgets. Users inhale and exhale a vapor-like aerosol. This way of taking in nicotine poses health risks to both users and non-users.

Many downsides and few potential upsides

E-cigarette promoters claim the devices can help people quit smoking. But much more evidence is needed to determine if they are an effective way to quit. Research suggests that users are more likely to continue smoking along with vaping, which is referred to as "dual use."

The American Heart Association recommends proven methods to successfully quit smoking.

Many people think vaping is less harmful than smoking. While it's true that e-cigarette aerosol doesn't include all the contaminants in tobacco smoke, it still isn't safe. Here are just a few of the reasons why:

Most e-cigarettes deliver nicotine, which is highly addictive and can harm the developing brains of teens, kids and fetuses in women who vape while pregnant. Some types expose users to even more nicotine than traditional cigarettes.

In addition to nicotine, e-cigarette vapor includes potentially harmful substances such as diacetyl (a chemical linked to a serious lung disease), cancer-causing chemicals, volatile organic compounds and heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead. Users breathe in these toxic contaminants, and non-users nearby risk secondhand exposure.

The liquid used in e-cigarettes can be dangerous, even apart from its intended use. Children and adults have been poisoned by swallowing, breathing or absorbing the liquid through their skin or eyes.

E-cigarettes have been linked to thousands of cases of serious lung injury, some resulting in death. While the exact cause is still not confirmed, the CDC recommends that people not use e-cigarettes.

E-cigarettes' biggest threat to public health may be this: The increasing popularity of vaping may "re-normalize" smoking, which has declined for years. Reversing the hard-won gains in the global effort to curb smoking would be catastrophic. Smoking is still the leading preventable cause of death and is responsible for over 480,000 deaths in the U.S. each year.

A threat to kids and young people

Tobacco companies want to hook a new generation on nicotine and smoking.

They spent more than $8.2 billion on aggressive marketing in 2019 alone. That's more than $22 million each day and almost $1 million every hour!

Nearly 76% of middle and high school students - that's 3 out of 4 kids - were exposed to tobacco product advertising in 2021. And about 74% of students had seen e-cigarette-related posts and content through social media.

E-cigarettes are the most common form of tobacco use by kids and teens. Over 2.1 million youth are currently using e-cigarettes, with a decline in use by high school students in the U.S. in 2022-2023.

Many young people say they've tried e-cigarettes in part because of the appealing flavors. Among youth currently using e-cigarettes, almost 9 out of 10 use flavored ones.

More effort and research are needed

The U.S. Surgeon General called e-cigarette use among young people a "public health concern." The American Heart Association shares that view. That's why we advocate for stronger regulations that:

Include e-cigarettes in smoke-free laws.

Regulate and tax e-cigarettes in the same way as all other tobacco products.

Remove all flavors, including menthol, which make these products more appealing to kids and young adults.

Enforce the federal law that raised the minimum age for sale of tobacco products from 18 to 21 years.

The AHA supports maintaining the Food and Drug Administration's regulatory authority over e-cigarettes along with other tobacco products.

What's the bottom line?

Kids, young adults and pregnant women should not use or be exposed to e-cigarettes.

People trying to quit smoking or using tobacco products should try proven tobacco cessation therapies before considering using e-cigarettes, which have not been proven an effective method.

People who do not currently smoke or use tobacco products should not use e-cigarettes.

The long-term health effects of e-cigarettes are not well understood yet. But the science clearly indicates vaping is not a safe or healthy alternative to smoking. We'll continue to support research into the health consequences of this and other tobacco product trends that aim to appeal to a new generation of users.

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Find out if vaping is a healthier, safer, or "better" alternative to smoking. Spoiler alert: It's not. Learn the facts.

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Vaping is an unknown variant in the medical field. Due to vaping's recent rise, doctors nor the FDA truly know what's completely inside an e-cigarette and what it all  can do when being used.  There is more concentrated nicotine inside an e-cigarette than there is in normal cigarettes, plus there are cartridges that strengthen the amount of nicotine in e-cigarettes. And not only does vaping harm the lungs but also the heart, increasing the risk of a heart attack due to high blood pressure. Teens are the targeted consumers and have been proven to become heavier users than cigarette users. Plus there had been an up spree of vapes exploding while being used. Who wants a ticking time bomb in their mouth?

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Mens Health Heart Health Know Your Heart Risks

Reviewed By:

If you have thought about trying to kick a smoking habit, you're not alone. Nearly 7 of 10 smokers say they want to stop. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health - smoking harms nearly every organ in your body, including your heart. Nearly one-third of deaths from heart disease are the result of smoking and secondhand smoke.

You might be tempted to turn to electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes, vape pens, and other nondisposable and disposable vaping devices) as a way to ease the transition from traditional cigarettes to not smoking at all. But is smoking e-cigarettes (also called vaping) better for you than using tobacco products? Can e-cigarettes help you to stop smoking once and for all? Michael Blaha, M.D., M.P.H., director of clinical research at the Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease, shares health information about vaping.

1: Vaping is less harmful than smoking, but it's still not safe.

E-cigarettes heat nicotine (extracted from tobacco), flavorings and other chemicals to create an aerosol that you inhale. Regular tobacco cigarettes contain 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic. While we don't know exactly what chemicals are in e-cigarettes, Blaha says "There's almost no doubt that vaping exposes you to fewer toxic chemicals than smoking traditional cigarettes."

However, there has been an outbreak of lung injuries and deaths associated with vaping. In February 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 2,807 cases of e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury (EVALI) and 68 deaths attributed to that condition.

"These cases appear to predominantly affect people who modify their vaping devices or use black market modified e-liquids. This is especially true for vaping products containing THC," explains Blaha.

The CDC has identified vitamin E acetate as a chemical of concern among people with EVALI. Vitamin E acetate is a thickening agent often used in THC vaping products, and it was found in all lung fluid samples of EVALI patients examined by the CDC.

The CDC recommends that people:

Do not use THC-containing e-cigarettes or vaping products.

Avoid using informal sources, such as friends, family or online dealers to obtain a vaping device.

Do not modify or add any substances to a vaping device that are not intended by the manufacturer.

Research from The Johns Hopkins University on vape ingredients published in October 2021 reveals thousands of chemical ingredients in vape products, most of which are not yet identified. Among those the team could identify were several potentially harmful substances, including caffeine, three chemicals never previously found in e-cigarettes, a pesticide and two flavorings linked with possible toxic effects and respiratory irritation.

2: Research suggests vaping is bad for your heart and lungs.

Nicotine is the primary agent in regular cigarettes and e-cigarettes, and it is highly addictive. It causes you to crave a smoke and suffer withdrawal symptoms if you ignore the craving. Nicotine is a toxic substance. It raises your blood pressure and spikes your adrenaline, which increases your heart rate and the likelihood of having a heart attack.

Is vaping bad for you? There are many unknowns about vaping, including what chemicals make up the vapor and how they affect physical health over the long term. "People need to understand that e-cigarettes are potentially dangerous to your health," says Blaha. "Emerging data suggests links to chronic lung disease and asthma, as well as associations between dual use of e-cigarettes and smoking with cardiovascular disease. You're exposing yourself to all kinds of chemicals that we don't yet understand and that are probably not safe."

3: Electronic cigarettes are just as addictive as traditional ones.

Both e-cigarettes and regular cigarettes contain nicotine, which research suggests may be as addictive as heroin and cocaine. What's worse, says Blaha, many e-cigarette users get even more nicotine than they would from a combustible tobacco product: Users can buy extra-strength cartridges, which have a higher concentration of nicotine, or increase the e-cigarette's voltage to get a greater hit of the substance.

Does Vaping Lead to Smoking?

4: Electronic cigarettes aren't the best smoking cessation tool.

Although they've been promoted as an aid to help you quit smoking, e-cigarettes have not received Food and Drug Administration approval as smoking cessation devices. A recent study found that most people who intended to use e-cigarettes to kick the nicotine habit ended up continuing to use traditional and e-cigarettes.

In light of the EVALI outbreak, the CDC advises people who use e-cigarettes for smoking cessation to weigh the risks and benefits and first consider use of other FDA-approved smoking cessation options.

5: A new generation is getting hooked on nicotine.

Among youth, e-cigarettes, especially the disposable kind, are more popular than any traditional tobacco product. According to the 2021 National Youth Tobacco Survey, more than 2 million U.S. middle and high school students reported using e-cigarettes in 2021, with more than 8 in 10 of those youth using flavored e-cigarettes.

According to Blaha, there are three reasons e-cigarettes may be particularly enticing to young people. First, many teens believe vaping is less harmful than smoking. Second, e-cigarettes have a lower per-use cost than traditional cigarettes. Finally, youths and adults find the lack of smoke appealing. With no smell, e-cigarettes reduce some of the stigma of smoking.

"What I find most concerning about the rise of vaping is that people who would've never smoked otherwise, especially youth, are taking up the habit," says Blaha. "It's one thing if you convert from cigarette smoking to vaping. It's quite another thing to start up nicotine use with vaping. And, getting hooked on nicotine often leads to using traditional tobacco products down the road."

Research from the CDC shows that vaping among youth has declined somewhat since 2020. Kids being stuck at home under their parents' supervision during the COVID-19 pandemic could contribute to that trend.

But, Blaha says, interpreting the data is tricky, since young people change their preferences often, and, when surveyed, may not consider using disposable products such as "puff bars" as vaping. The same CDC report says disposable e-cigarette use has increased 1,000% among high school students and 400% among middle school students since 2019.

Vaping and the COVID-19 Pandemic

When the coronavirus pandemic first began, Blaha says, data show that e-cigarette sales went down, possibly because people were spending more time at home and avoiding stores and public areas.

But Blaha sees a trend that concerns him: rising rates of daily e-cigarette use among all vape users. "The number of people who vaped daily used to be 1 in 5, but now it's up quite a bit, which is concerning because it implies more nicotine addiction. I'm keeping a close eye on that."

Vaping, smoking and other lung irritants can compound the respiratory problems associated with COVID-19.

Want to quit smoking?

There's a strong link between smoking and cardiovascular disease, and between smoking and cancer. But the sooner you quit, the quicker your body can rebound and repair itself. Talk to your doctor about which smoking cessation program or tools would be best for you.

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Smoking electronic cigarettes is often considered safer than regular smoking. Learn facts about vaping and why you should rethink taking it up.

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I agree with Morgan vaping seems pretty unhealthy. I also agree with Allison because I think the upsides and downsides to vaping make it just as bad as smoking.

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I agree with Lauren; cigarettes are regulated whilst e-cigarettes aren't, leaving teens more susceptible to becoming addicted since they are so easily purchased. I also agree with Sarah as vaping has become widely used by young adults and teens. Anyone can buy a vape for anyone who pays them.

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Studies have shown that harmful chemicals have been found in vapes that are known to cause health issues. But these studies are based on poor quality e-cigarettes. When a good quality vape is used, there are way less harmful chemicals and effects than those found in tobacco smoke.

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I agree with Sarah that vaping is harming teens' respiratory systems at a premature age, but I also agree with Reese because vaping is often used to quit smoking and can be a helpful form of doing so.

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Vaping is a good way to kick your smoking habit. The regulated vape products are safer than your traditional cigarette. There are less harmful chemicals and you can regulate the amount of nicotine you get. The vape products don't seem to have any negative long term effects yet. Those who were harmed from vapes were harmed with unregulated black market vape products or they modified their own vapes.

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I agree with Taylor smoking and vaping both effect the users lungs.
I do not agree that vaping is just as bad. Smoking does significantly more damage compared to vaping.

I agree with Dods Vaping is better than smoking. Unfortunately people tend to abuse the connivence of the vape. They tend to use one even if they don't need to or they use too much of it to the point where it does more harm than good.

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There are clear and proven health problems that vapes cause. The nicotine can cause some damage to your brain, vapes have been linked to cancer, vapes can explode or burn from charging, and exposure to the liquid inside the vape can cause nicotine poisoning. If you vape while pregnant and it affects your baby or if the liquid can cause poisoning, why would you want to inhale something that causes harm inside your body (pregnant or not).
Not only do vape users have to watch out for these causes but recently, vaping is a prime suspect to a new lung disease that has been rising. We don't know it for sure but experts believe the" most likely culprit is a contaminant, not an infectious agent. Possibilities include chemical irritation, or allergic or immune reactions to various chemicals or other substances in the inhaled vapors". No one knows who are at high risks, or how the vapes are causing the disease, and what the main factor is for the disease, so it's a tricky and risky choice for vape users to take and they have to watch out for it. Vaping is not FDA approved so no one knows whats in the vapes or what the long-term affects are and that's why we need to be cautious about vaping.

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Can vaping damage your lungs? What we do (and don’t) know - Harvard Health

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Vaping can cause significant health risks, including lung disease. Learn the dangers of vaping and nicotine.…

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This is cool

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I don't believe that their is anything such as "safe" vaping.

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To REPLY put "your name to the person you are replying to" like..."Mrs Parker to Shane"

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To REPLY put "your name to the person you are replying to" like..."Mrs Parker to Shane"

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You must reply to at least two posts.