From the Guidelines
Nicotine vaping products pose significant health risks, including cardiovascular and respiratory issues, and are not safe for use, especially for adolescents, young adults, and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. The current health effects of nicotine vape products are a major concern, with evidence suggesting that nicotine itself is highly addictive and can cause an increase in blood pressure, heart rate, and a narrowing of the arteries, potentially leading to a heart attack 1. Additionally, nicotine exposure during adolescence can cause addiction and harm the developing brain, while during pregnancy, it can cross the placenta and result in multiple adverse consequences, including sudden infant death syndrome 1.
Some of the key health effects of nicotine vaping products include:
- Respiratory issues, such as coughing, shortness of breath, and exacerbation of asthma
- Cardiovascular problems, including increased heart rate and blood pressure, potentially leading to increased risk of heart attack and stroke
- Harm to brain development in adolescents and young adults, affecting attention, learning, and impulse control
- Throat and mouth irritation, nausea, and headaches
- Potential links to chronic lung disease, although long-term effects remain partially unknown
It is essential to note that while combustible tobacco products are clearly the most harmful, electronic products should not be characterized as harmless, as health risks with use that affect the cardiovascular and respiratory systems have been identified 1. Individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, such as diabetes, should be advised to avoid vaping and using e-cigarettes, either as an approach to stop smoking combustible cigarettes or as a recreational drug 1. For those looking to quit, options include nicotine replacement therapies (patches, gum, lozenges), prescription medications like varenicline (Chantix) or bupropion (Zyban), and behavioral counseling.
From the FDA Drug Label
Stop use and ask a doctor if ... irregular heartbeat or palpitations occur Ask a doctor before use if you have ... heart disease, recent heart attack, or irregular heartbeat. Nicotine can increase your heart rate. Ask a doctor before use if you have ... high blood pressure not controlled with medication. Nicotine can increase blood pressure.
The current health effects of nicotine vape products include potential cardiovascular effects such as:
- Irregular heartbeat or palpitations
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure It is recommended to stop use and ask a doctor if any of these symptoms occur. Additionally, individuals with a history of heart disease, recent heart attack, or high blood pressure should ask a doctor before use 2 2.
From the Research
Current Health Effects of Nicotine Vape Products
The health effects of nicotine vape products are a subject of ongoing research, with various studies investigating their impact on users. Some key findings include:
- Nicotine vaping products (NVPs) have evolved rapidly, making it challenging to capture information from users about device features, such as nicotine content and capacity, in population surveys 3.
- E-cigarettes, which contain nicotine, expose users to known harmful constituents whose long-term health risks remain unknown, although they appear to be relatively safer than combustible cigarettes 4.
- Noticing nicotine vaping product health warning labels is not associated with increased NVP and nicotine harm perceptions or decreased intentions to use NVPs among adult smokers and vapers 5.
- The EU TPD health warning may reduce smokers' willingness to use and likelihood of purchasing an e-cigarette, while messages conveying reduced harm or no message at all may be more effective in encouraging smokers to switch to these lower risk products 6.
Associations with Nicotine Vape Product Use
Research has also explored the associations between nicotine vape product use and various health outcomes, including:
- No evidence of an increased risk of suicidal behavior in patients prescribed varenicline or bupropion compared to those prescribed nicotine replacement therapy 7.
- The potential for NVPs to aid in cessation of cigarette smoking when used as part of a structured cessation program, although use among tobacco-naive youth and long-term dual use with combustible cigarettes should be strongly discouraged due to excess risk with dual use 4.
- The diversity of the NVP market and wide variation in how products are used, making it challenging to capture information from users about device features, such as nicotine content and capacity, in population surveys 3.