Facts
Vaping e-cigarettes is associated with a number of health effects. Let’s check them out.
Disclaimer: This section is based on best available evidence. The research is constantly evolving.
Your Lungs
Frequent vaping is associated with…
Increased risk of chronic cough1 and asthma-like symptoms 2.
More frequent respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness, especially during physical activities 3.
Impaired airflow in your lungs on a long-term basis 3.
Increased risk of chronic cough1 and asthma-like symptoms 2.
More frequent respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness, especially during physical activities 3.
Impaired airflow in your lungs on a long-term basis 3.
The Heart
When you vape with nicotine…
Your heart rate and blood pressure spike immediately after vaping. Doing this repeatedly may lead to long-lasting consequences 3.
The long-term effects on your heart are not fully known yet.
Your heart rate and blood pressure spike immediately after vaping. Doing this repeatedly may lead to long-lasting consequences 3.
The long-term effects on your heart are not fully known yet.
Your Brain
One study has shown that vaping with nicotine in excessive amounts can lead to nerve damage that can have poor or even fatal outcomes 4.
Blood flow to your brain can get restricted, which means the brain gets less oxygen. This can alter the connections made between neurons 5.
Young people are more likely to get addicted to vaping, even if the nicotine concentration is lower 6.
Nicotine can affect brain functions like impulse control, memory, concentration, and behaviour 5,6,7.
Blood flow to your brain can get restricted, which means the brain gets less oxygen. This can alter the connections made between neurons 5.
Young people are more likely to get addicted to vaping, even if the nicotine concentration is lower 6.
Nicotine can affect brain functions like impulse control, memory, concentration, and behaviour 5,6,7.
Addiction?
Vaping with nicotine causes addiction 8,9. Nicotine withdrawal is the feeling you get when you haven’t used your device for a period of time. This can feel like….
Anxiousness, low mood, and irritability 7,9.
Sweating, nausea, shakiness 10.
Needing your device to feel “normal" 10.
Vaping can increase your risk of using commercial cigarettes 8,9. Using devices with nicotine in your youth can lead to addiction of other substances in the future 9.
Anxiousness, low mood, and irritability 7,9.
Sweating, nausea, shakiness 10.
Needing your device to feel “normal" 10.
Vaping can increase your risk of using commercial cigarettes 8,9. Using devices with nicotine in your youth can lead to addiction of other substances in the future 9.
Oral Health
Vaping daily or almost daily can lead to…
Throat and mouth discomfort immediately after vaping11,12. This can feel like an oily coating around the throat that can last for several hours.
Dental staining, where teeth can turn yellowish or brownish, if vaping with nicotine long-term (for as little as one month)11,12,13.
Oral pain and cracked or broken teeth particularly among youth aged 13-24 years old14.
Throat and mouth discomfort immediately after vaping11,12. This can feel like an oily coating around the throat that can last for several hours.
Dental staining, where teeth can turn yellowish or brownish, if vaping with nicotine long-term (for as little as one month)11,12,13.
Oral pain and cracked or broken teeth particularly among youth aged 13-24 years old14.
The Body
E-liquid is made of components known to be toxic by the FDA. Using vaping products can cause injury or other bodily harm, such e-liquid poisoning and burns. There have been documented cases of burns to the face and thigh if the vape device explodes15,16.
We still need more studies on the impact of vaping on sleep, cellular health, bone health, and newborn health for women vaping while pregnant.
We still need more studies on the impact of vaping on sleep, cellular health, bone health, and newborn health for women vaping while pregnant.
Health Effects References
- Wills TA, Choi K, Pokhrel P, Pagano I. Tests for confounding with cigarette smoking in the association of E-cigarette use with respiratory disorder: 2020 National-Sample Data. Preventive Medicine. 2022;161:107137. doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2022.107137
- Ghosh, A., Coakley, R. D., Ghio, A. J., Muhlebach, M. S., Esther, C. R., Alexis, N. E., & Tarran, R. (2019). Chronic e-cigarette use increases neutrophil elastase and matrix metalloprotease levels in the lung. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 200(11), 1392–1401. https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.201903-0615oc
- Mcneill A, Simonavičius E, Brose L, et al. Nicotine Vaping in England: An Evidence Update Including Health Risks and Perceptions, 2022 A Report Commissioned by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities.; 2022.
- Scarpino, M., Rosso, T., Lanzo, G., Lolli, F., Bonizzoli, M., Lazzeri, C., … & Grippo, A. (2021). Severe neurological nicotine intoxication by e‐cigarette liquids: Systematic literature review. Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, 143(2), 121-130.
- Taylor G, McNeill A, Girling A, et al. Change in mental health after smoking cessation: systematic review and meta-analysis. British Medical Journal 2014;348:g1151.
- Alzoubi, K. H., Batran, R. M., Al-Sawalha, N. A., Khabour, O. F., Karaoghlanian, N., Shihadeh, A., & Eissenberg, T. (2021). The effect of electronic cigarettes exposure on learning and memory functions: Behavioral and molecular analysis. Inhalation Toxicology, 33(6–8), 234–243. https://doi.org/10.1080/08958378.2021.1954732
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, August 30). Quick facts on the risks of e-cigarettes for kids, teens, and young adults. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/Quick-Facts-on-the-Risks-of-E-cigarettes-for-Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults.html#:~:text=Young%20people’s%20brains%20build%20synapses,future%20addiction%20to%20other%20drugs.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Smoking Cessation: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2020 [accessed 2022 April 4].
- Eaton, D. L., Kwan, L. Y., & Stratton, K. (Eds.). (2018). Public Health Consequences of E-Cigarettes. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Health and Medicine Division, Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice, Committee on the Review of the Health Effects of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, National Academies Press (US).
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. (n.d.). Nicotine dependence. Retrieved from: https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index
/nicotine-dependence
- Ralho A, Coelho A, Ribeiro M, et al. Effects of Electronic Cigarettes on Oral Cavity: A Systematic Review. J Evid Based Dent Pract. 2019;19(4):101318. doi:10.1016/j.jebdp.2019.04.002
- Karanjkar RR, Preshaw PM, Ellis JS, Holliday R. Effect of tobacco and nicotine in causing staining of dental hard tissues and dental materials: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical and experimental dental research. 2022;(101692332). doi:10.1002/cre2.683
- Yang I, Sandeep S, Rodriguez J. The oral health impact of electronic cigarette use: a systematic review. Crit Rev Toxicol. 2020;50(2):97-127. doi:10.1080/10408444.2020.1713726
- Livingston JA, Chen CH, Kwon M, Park E. Physical and mental health outcomes associated with adolescent E-cigarette use. J Pediatr Nurs. 2022;64 (jns, 8607529):1-17. doi:10.1016/j.pedn.2022.01.006
- Asfar, T., Jebai, R., Li, W., Oluwole, O. J., Ferdous, T., Gautam, P., … & Maziak, W. (2022). Risk and safety profile of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS): an umbrella review to inform ENDS health communication strategies. Tobacco control.
- Tzortzi, A., Kapetanstrataki, M., Evangelopoulou, V., & Behrakis, P. (2020). A systematic literature review of e-cigarette-related illness and injury: not just for the respirologist. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(7), 2248.
The Stop Vaping Challenge website was made possible through a financial contribution from Health Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of Health Canada.
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