From the Guidelines
Vaping is associated with significant health risks, including cardiovascular and respiratory problems, and its use should be discouraged due to the potential for nicotine dependence and long-term damage to lung tissue. The side effects of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use can be severe, with immediate effects including dry mouth, throat irritation, coughing, headaches, dizziness, and nausea 1. Regular vaping may lead to more serious issues, such as increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and reduced lung function, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular events and mortality 1.
Long-term Risks
Long-term vaping has been associated with chronic bronchitis, asthma exacerbation, and potentially serious lung damage like EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury) 1. Nicotine-containing vapes are addictive and can cause withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit, including irritability, anxiety, and strong cravings. The chemicals in vape aerosol, including formaldehyde, acrolein, and heavy metals, can damage lung tissue and potentially increase cancer risk.
Special Considerations
Adolescents who vape face additional risks, including impaired brain development and a higher likelihood of transitioning to traditional cigarettes 1. Individuals with 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, due to the increased risk of cardiovascular and respiratory problems 1. If people are using e-cigarettes to quit, they should be advised to avoid using both combustible and electronic cigarettes and have a plan to quit these products as well.
Key Points
- Vaping is associated with significant health risks, including cardiovascular and respiratory problems
- E-cigarettes should only be considered to aid tobacco cessation alongside a formal tobacco cessation programme 1
- Individuals with diabetes should be advised to avoid vaping and using e-cigarettes due to the increased risk of cardiovascular and respiratory problems 1
- Adolescents who vape face additional risks, including impaired brain development and a higher likelihood of transitioning to traditional cigarettes 1
From the Research
Side Effects of Electronic Cigarette (E-Cigarette) Use
The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has been associated with several side effects, including:
- Respiratory symptoms, such as those experienced by patients with e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) 2
- Gastrointestinal symptoms 2
- Constitutional symptoms 2
- Bilateral ground glass opacifications on radiographs 2
- Cardiovascular effects, including potential long-term addiction 3, 4
- Immunologic effects 5
- Neuro-developmental effects 5
- Extrapulmonary effects, including cardiovascular, immunologic, and neuro-developmental effects 5
Specific Health Risks
Specific health risks associated with e-cigarette use include:
- EVALI, which has been linked to the use of vitamin E acetate (VEA) as a diluent in tetrahydrocannabinol vape cartridges 2
- Pulmonary risks, including the condition electronic-cigarette/vaping associated lung injury (EVALI) 5
- Acute lung injury 3
- Long-term addiction 3, 4
- Carcinogenic effects of propylene glycol and glycerin, which generate pulmonary irritants and carcinogenic carbonyl compounds when heated in e-cigarettes 2
- Toxicity of flavoring agents, such as diacetyl, which has known pulmonary toxicity with inhalational exposures leading to bronchiolitis obliterans 2
- Leaching of metals, such as aluminum, chromium, iron, lead, manganese, nickel, and tin, from heating coils and cartridge casings 2
Vulnerable Populations
Adolescents and young adults are particularly vulnerable to the risks of e-cigarette use, due to:
- Targeted advertising and flavoring compounds 5
- Lack of awareness of adverse consequences from vaping 3
- High prevalence of e-cigarette use among youth, with over 40% of high school seniors reporting use within the past year 5
- Potential long-term health effects, including cardiovascular and pulmonary disease 4