They say ‘where there’s smoke, there’s fire’. Vaping, however, uses electricity instead of fire to convert vape liquid into vapour with substances like tobacco, nicotine, CBD and THC, that can be smoked or inhaled. But does this mean vaping, fast gaining popularity among youngsters, doesn’t raise the risk of lung cancer or other health issues triggered by traditional cigarettes? Is there only smoke and no fire?

While scientists are still trying to fathom the long-term health consequences of e-cigarettes, it is safe to say vaping is not a safer alternative to smoking. Contrary to popular belief, mounting evidence suggests that vaping, which involves breathing in an aerosol that contains chemicals, including nicotine, has dangerous side-effects, just like smoking.

What are the risks of vaping?

Those who vape, can be harmed by:

Nicotine: E-cigarettes often contain large amounts of nicotine which could slacken development of brains in fetuses, children or teens.
Dangerous chemicals: The liquid that creates the vapour is dangerous if swallowed, inhaled or if it comes in contact with the skin. Vaping also delivers toxins like diacetyl, cancer-causing chemicals, heavy metals and volatile organic compounds to the lungs.
Lung injury: EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury) is another emerging phenomenon linked to vaping. Most cases could be traced to products containing THC, which comes from cannabis.

Vaping vs smoking

What are the risks of smoking?

Smoking can cause:

Damage to every organ in the body
90% of all lung cancer mortality
Around 80% of deaths from COPD
Increased risk of heart disease or stroke
An increased risk of death

Is vaping linked to lung cancer?

Since vaping introduces a clutch of chemicals into the lungs, cancer is surely a concern. The catch here is that vaping products haven’t been in vogue for long enough to ascertain whether or not these can cause cancer. Smoking tobacco deposits tiny particles deep in the bronchial tree which can lead to the development of lung cancer. The same could be true for vaping is the prevailing assumption.

Even second-hand vapour isn’t safe, since the exhaled vapour contains nicotine, ultrafine particles, diacetyl and benzene. So, it’s best to avoid it as well. Recent research has actually thrown up data to suggest that vaping damages young people’s lungs as much as smoking, triggering a fresh debate over the health risks of e-cigarettes.

A study has added to the “growing evidence that long-term use of vaping is harmful and challenges the idea that vaping could be a healthier alternative to smoking”. According to blood tests and ultrasound scans used in the study, “both vapers and smokers showed signs that their blood vessels were not working as well as the non-smoking and non-vaping group. The smokers and vapers were more out of breath and experienced intense muscle fatigue” even before reaching maximum exercise level.

Health researchers have also found evidence that vaping raises the risk of cancer since it alters the DNA of vapers, and that it may also damage the brain and vital organs because e-cigarette aerosols and liquids can contain toxic metal traces.