As vaping grows in prevalaence, both societally and among teens, parents and concerned citizens are asking the same things: Is vaping dangerous?

Isn’t it just water?

In fact, vaping involves inhaling an aerosol that contains ultrafine particles that can damage the lungs and lead to respiratory issues. Some of these chemicals are known to cause cancer, lung disease, and cardiovascular problems.
While it’s true that vaping “exposes you to fewer toxic chemicals than traditional cigarettes”*, ‘fewer’ is not the same as ‘no toxic chemicals’. Additionally, research from Johns Hopkins University on vape ingredients back in 2021 discovered thousands of chemical ingredients in vape products, most of which were unidentified!

Our lungs are designed to inhale one thing: air. As a general rule, avoid putting anything else in your lungs.

But there are particles, pollution, and other irritants in the air. That all gets filtered, right? Yes, but not by the lungs. Our noses filter the air as we breathe in. Vaping bypasses any natural filtration that the body naturally has.

Increased risk for teens

The reality is that teens are not allowed to purchase vape products. Thus, all the vape products they obtain come from non-licensed sources. There is an inherent danger here as it increases the likelihood of vaping tainted or tampered products when purchased from untrustworthy sources.

In 2005, Canada began banning smoking at indoor establishments, though it took a while for the bans to go into effect nationwide. Since 2005, there has been a steady decline in the number of daily or occasional smokers across Canada.**

Now, with the advent of vaping and its more palatable flavour options, our youth are once again being lured into nicotine addiction and a life of chemical dependency.

Nicotine Addiction

Most vape products contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance that can harm adolescents’ brain development. Nicotine changes how synapses in the brain are formed and can damage the parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control.***

If you or someone you know is struggling with vaping or nicotine addiction, we encourage you to seek support from healthcare professionals, counselors, or addiction support groups. Quitting vaping can be challenging, but it is possible with support and determination.

* https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/5-truths-you-need-to-know-about-vaping
** https://www.statista.com/statistics/1328425/number-of-canadians-that-are-current-smokers-daily-or-occasional-by-gender/
*** https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/Quick-Facts-on-the-Risks-of-E-cigarettes-for-Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults.html