Why Vaping Can Be More Dangerous Than Smoking

Advocate for the Innocent's weekly blog focuses on the topic of vaping versus smoking. Vaping is the act of using electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), which are devices that heat liquid solutions into an aerosol. Both smoking and vaping have side effects and risks. The long-term health effects of vaping are not fully understood, but the science indicates they are not a safe alternative to smoking. E-cigarette aerosol isn’t just water vapor – it contains nicotine, heavy metals (like lead, nickel), formaldehyde, acrolein, diacetyl, and thousands of other compounds. Some high-powered vapes can generate formaldehyde at levels 5 to 15 times higher than cigarette smoke.

A recent AI-backed study of 180 vape flavors flagged over 120 acutely toxic chemicals and more than150 classified as health hazards. Many vapes deliver nicotine more efficiently than cigarettes. For instance, a single 5% Juul pod can contain as much nicotine as a full pack of cigarettes. That fuels
rapid addiction, especially dangerous for teens and young adults. Vaping has been linked to respiratory illnesses like COPD, asthma, bronchitis, and devastating cases requiring surgery or even causing death. One recent heart-attack case: a 24-year-old lifelong vaper describes breathing
“through a straw,” with the lungs of a 70-year-old after years of e-cigarettes. Nicotine harms developing brains – affecting memory, attention, impulse control, and may elevate riskfor anxiety and depression. In 2019–20, unregulated cannabis vapes with vitamin(E acetate were
responsible for 2,807 hospitalizations and 68 deaths from e-cigarette or vaping product use
associated lung injury (EVALI) in the U.S. Disposable vape pens create massive e-waste and contain lithium, plastics, and hazardous chemicals that are rarely recycled. Their batteries and toxins leak into ecosystems, adding a hidden cost to convenience.

States like California, New York, Illinois, Colorado, Connecticut and Ohio now include vaping in smoke-free indoor laws. Some other state legislation includes:

• Texas’ amended bill would ban all vaping products with Chinese-made components
• Washington’s companion bills would ban vapes and all nicotine and tobacco products in flavors
• other than tobacco, ban nicotine analogs, and increase the state's vape tax to 95% wholesale
• Arkansas outlaws’ possession of vapes not on the state registry (not just for retailers, but individuals as well)

The potential harms of vaping outweigh any perceived benefits. If you currently vape or smoke, talk
to a healthcare provider about scientifically supported quitting tools like NRT (patches, gum) or
prescription medicines. Vaping may help some quit smoking, but it isn’t a harmless alternative. Let’s
protect our youth, our health, and our planet. If you are interested in becoming an Advocate for the
Innocent member and gaining access to our Resource Center ($10/month or $99/annually), visit
https://advocatefortheinnocent... to learn more.