It’s Important To Get The Facts For Yourself.
Vapes, smart vapes, pouches and cigarettes all contain nicotine, a highly addictive and toxic substance that causes harm to your physical and mental health. No nicotine or tobacco product is safe.
It doesn’t matter where nicotine comes from. Whether it’s taken from tobacco leaves or made in a lab as synthetic nicotine, it’s still the same harmful and addictive chemical (source). Even if a product doesn’t make smoke, vapor or smell, nicotine can still hurt your brain, heart and body (source). No matter how it’s used, nicotine is not safe.
The human brain keeps developing until around the age of 25. Using nicotine before the age of 25 can harm memory, attention and learning. Since your brain is still developing, you can get addicted quicker than adults. Using nicotine can rewire your brain to become more easily addicted to other drugs (source), can cause you crave it more, lose control of yourself and become more irritable (source) (source).
No nicotine doesn’t mean no risk. Inhaling anything, even nicotine-free vapes, can irritate your lungs and trigger immune reactions. Vape products advertised as “nicotine-free” or “zero nicotine” can still be addictive and contain other harmful chemicals, like 6-methyl nicotine which is very similar to nicotine in regular vapes but can be 3 to 10 times more addictive. Even if a vape product doesn’t contain nicotine, there are still other harmful chemicals present such as lead, nickel, diacetyl, formaldehyde and more which are found in most e-cigarettes.
“Vapor” is an aerosol that comes out of a vape. It is not harmless water vapor. The vape aerosol that people breathe in has nicotine and other toxic chemicals that can cause sickness. In fact, inhaling aerosols from vapes can cause arteries to narrow, increasing the risk for a future heart attack.
Flavored vape liquid contains nasty and unknown stuff. Almost all vapes have nicotine, even if they claim to be nicotine-free. Nicotine is used to get you hooked. Toxic chemicals have been found in vape liquids such as formaldehyde and an ingredient used in antifreeze.
Even if you are strong, young and healthy, inhaling the toxins in vapes can increase your risk for developing lung problems.
E-cigarette, or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) is a serious medical condition that can develop when a person’s lungs become damaged from substances contained in vaping products. Using vaping products that contain nicotine or THC can increase the risk of EVALI because vape devices can expose you to harmful chemicals and additives in aerosolized e-liquids (source) (source). When you vape you're also at high risk of developing a COVID-19 infection. One study found that youth who vaped were 5-7 times more likely to be diagnosed with COVID-19 compared to those who didn’t vape (source).
Secondhand vape aerosol contains harmful, toxic and cancer-causing chemicals that can be breathed in. The chemicals go into the body through the skin and harm those around you (source). Thirdhand smoke is the toxic residue from nicotine smoke or vapor that stays on carpets, walls, furniture, clothing and hair (source). Breathing in vape aerosol directly or through secondhand or thirdhand inhalation or absorption is harmful to you and those around you (source).
Some vapes are called “smart vapes” because they include features like touch screens, Bluetooth, GPS tracking and personalization - just like a phone or gaming device. These products mix vaping with entertainment by turning it into a game. They offer challenges, rewards and high scores that make it easier for teens to start and harder to stop. This type of gamification encourages harmful behavior and helps nicotine companies keep teens hooked. Smart vapes also look like tech devices, which can make them harder for adults to notice or track.
Some people think nicotine pouches are safer than tobacco, but that’s not true. Nicotine pouches contain harmful and cancer-causing chemicals that can cause issues when absorbed into your bloodstream through your mouth. Using pouches can lead to serious oral health problems like cavities, gum bleeding, mouth sores and damage that could turn into cancer. Pouches can also raise your heart rate and blood pressure, which can lead to heart problems.
Similar to vapes, nicotine pouches are available in many candy-like flavors including mint, cinnamon, berry or fruity mixes. These flavors make nicotine pouches more appealing to teens. In fact, nationally, more than 85% of students who use pouches choose flavored ones. But just because the flavors seem fun or harmless doesn’t mean they are. Flavored pouches still carry the same health risks as other nicotine products and can lead to addiction.
Companies that make nicotine products use sneaky marketing tricks to get the attention of young people. They place flavored products near candy at store checkouts to make them look fun and harmless. They design vapes and pouches in bright colors and sweet flavors like fruit or mint to appeal to teens. Some “smart vapes” connect to apps or include games, turning nicotine use into entertainment. These companies also use social media, sponsorships and influencers to promote their products — even though teens aren’t legally allowed to buy them. Their goal is simple: get teens interested early and keep them hooked.
Vaping any substance harms your lungs, brain and body. The harms from vaping and risks of becoming addicted to vaping are even higher if you start young and use frequently. Vaping THC or weed can impair memory, attention and learning. Plus, regular use can also be linked to social anxiety and depression, especially when there is a family history of mental illness.