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How Safe Are Vapes? What We Know About the Dangers of Vaping

Vaping has become increasingly common, but how safe is it really?

The simple answer is: vaping is not harmless.

It is important to put this into perspective. For people who smoke cigarettes, switching completely to vaping is considered significantly less harmful than continuing to smoke. Unlike cigarettes, vapes do not burn tobacco and do not produce tar or carbon monoxide, two of the most damaging components of cigarette smoke. (nhs.uk)

However, less harmful does not mean safe.

Most vapes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. The aerosol produced by vaping can also contain potentially harmful substances, including chemicals and tiny particles that are inhaled deep into the lungs. We are still learning about the effects of long-term exposure, as vaping has not been around long enough for us to fully understand the consequences over many decades. (nhs.uk)

There are also concerns about the effects of nicotine on young people. Developing brains are particularly vulnerable to nicotine addiction, which is why vaping is not recommended for children, teenagers or people who have never smoked. (nhs.uk)

From an oral health perspective, vaping can also be associated with a dry mouth. Reduced saliva can make the mouth more vulnerable to problems such as tooth decay, bad breath and gum problems.

If you are a smoker, vaping can be a useful tool to help you stop smoking and is considerably less harmful than continuing to smoke. Ideally, the long-term goal should be to become both smoke-free and eventually nicotine-free. (nhs.uk)

 

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