Vaping was originally invented as an alternative for adult smokers in an attempt to find a less dangerous product. Unfortunately, only about 15% of people who used vapes to quit smoking were able to actually quit. Numerous studies show that using vapes is an inconsistent method of a safe way to quit smoking. 

Data shows us that the majority of people vaping have been youth–not adults who are trying to quit. When vaping hit its peak of popularity in 2019, over 37% of youth were vaping. These were youths who were never interested in smoking cigarettes. Vaping has addicted a whole new generation to nicotine and has undone years of work in tobacco prevention. 

Vaping and smoking both deliver nicotine and other substances to your lungs. E-cigarettes heat a liquid to create an aerosol, while cigarettes burn tobacco, producing smoke.

How do vapes work:

Vapes use a battery to heat a liquid that has nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and flavorings. Because vaping has only been common for about 10 years, there is still much we don’t know about the long-term health effects of vaping these ingredients. 

Vaping can cause significant health risks, including potential for lung damage, addiction, and negative impacts on cardiovascular and mental health, particularly among young people. Most vaping products contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance.

Effects on the lungs:

E-liquid, also known as vape juice or vape oil, is turned into a mist that is inhaled and coats the lungs with harmful chemicals. Elements of the vapor can get deep down in the lungs as it is inhaled.

  • Known chemicals in e-liquid include:
    • Diacetyl – a food additive, used to deepen e-cigarette flavors and is known to damage small passageways in the lungs.
    • Formaldehyde – a toxic chemical that can cause lung disease and contribute to heart disease.
    • Acrolein – most often used as a weed killer, this chemical can also damage lungs.
  • Vitamin E is often added to e-liquid. While Vitamin E is safe as an oral supplement or a lotion for the skin, it is an irritant when inhaled and can cause severe lung damage.

Effects on the brain:

Nicotine, found in most vapes, negatively impacts brain development and functions:

  • Decreases ability to pay attention making it harder to learn 
  • Affects memory and concentration 
  • Causes/worsens mood swings
  • Increases anxiety and depression
  • Increases risk of eating disorders
  • Slows down impulse controls (reaction time)

People under the age of 25 are more at risk due to the brain still developing.

  • Raises the risk of addiction
  • Increases risk of nicotine overdose
  • Leads to a greater chance of experimenting with other substances such as cigarettes or other drugs

Nicotine addiction leads to withdrawal symptoms:

  • Cravings
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Problems focusing
  • Problems sleeping

Effects on pregnant women:

Vaping while pregnant harms the developing fetus:

  • Increases chance of baby being born underweight
  • Increases risk of early (preterm) birth
  • Permanently damages the baby’s brain development as well as other organs

Research is still being conducted to fully understand the effects of vaping while pregnant on the mother and fetus.

Other effects:

Vaping poses serious risks, including lung and organ damage, breathing issues, addiction, and more. Many people assume vaping is “safer” than smoking, but it is not safe.

  • Asthma: Vaping increases the risk of developing asthma and other lung conditions. It can also worsen existing asthma.
  • Lung scarring: Some flavorings contain diacetyl, a chemical linked to bronchiolitis obliterans (“popcorn lung”), which causes permanent lung scarring.
  • Organ damage: Nicotine and other chemicals in e-liquids can harm your lungs, heart, and brain. Nicotine can impair brain development, raise blood pressure, and narrow arteries.
  • EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury): This serious lung condition causes widespread damage, with symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain. EVALI can be fatal.
  • Addiction: Nicotine is highly addictive, altering brain chemistry and making it hard to quit. Even “nicotine-free” e-liquids often contain small amounts of nicotine.
  • Cigarette Smoking: Vaping can lead to cigarette smoking, which exposes users to even more harmful chemicals.
  • Second-hand exposure: While vaping doesn’t produce smoke, bystanders still inhale nicotine and other chemicals.
  • Explosions: Vaping device batteries can explode, causing serious burns and injuries.
  • Cancer: Some e-liquid ingredients are known to cause cancer.

Nicotine addiction is when the body becomes used to having nicotine (builds tolerance) and over time releases less dopamine when you vape, meaning that you need more to get the same effect. This causes physical cravings for nicotine and a chemical addiction.

  • Nicotine is highly addictive, and floods your brain with 100% more dopamine compared to normal levels. Your body can start relying on nicotine very quickly.
  • Repeating vaping over and over again and building routines around vaping can also create habits or behavioral dependence on nicotine.
  • Dependence on nicotine leads to cravings, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms when not using the product.

Many people say that nicotine addiction is one of the hardest addictions to break, but it can be done. Usually it takes 3 months after quitting for your brain’s dopamine receptors to go back to normal.

 

Nicotine addiction happens when you need nicotine and can’t stop using it. You can take this quiz to see if you might be addicted to nicotine.

Some signs to look for:

  • You have withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit
    • Strong cravings
    • Mood swings
    • Irritability
    • Restlessness
    • Increased hunger
    • Depression
    • Difficulty concentrating
    • Constipation or diarrhea
  • You keep vaping even though you are experiencing health problems because of vaping
  • You stop hanging around with friends who don’t let you vape around them or friends who ask you to quit

Side effects of addiction (too much nicotine)

Having too much nicotine can lead to many symptoms, known as nicotine overdose or nic-sick. Nic-sick symptoms within 15 minutes of vaping can be:

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach ache and loss of appetite
  • Increased heart rate and blood pressure
  • Headache
  • Mouth watering
  • Quick, heavy breathing
  • Dizziness or tremors
  • Confusion and anxiety

After 30 minutes, nic-sick symptoms can be:

  • Diarrhea
  • Shallow breathing
  • Slower heartbeat and blood pressure
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Weakness, slow reflexes, or unable to control muscles
  • Pale skin

Go to a hospital or call 911 right away if symptoms get worse.

Nicotine overdose can lead to seizures, respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, breathing difficulties or even coma. Talk with your doctor if you vape – no matter how much you vape (there is no safe level of nicotine).

Gradual Quit:

Nicotine addiction happens when you need nicotine and can’t stop using it. You can take this quiz to see if you might be addicted to nicotine.

  • Awareness: Create a weekly calendar noting when you vape, how much you vape, and how often you vape.
  • Pick a day to start your quit journey.
  • Create a schedule of reduced use over a specific time period:
    • Cut down on nicotine gradually
    • Control your nicotine level by using a refillable vape
    • Pay attention to how much you are using the vape and how you feel
  • Extend time between vaping sessions:
    • Push yourself through cravings by taking a walk, exercise, drinking water, reading, watching TV – anything that you can use to distract yourself until the craving passes.
  • Create vape-free spaces at home and at work:
    • List places where you would normally vape or where you might feel pressure to vape – stay away from these place or make them vape-free
    • Try to go to places where you do not feel pressure to vape. As you decrease your vape use, gradually expand areas in your environment where you know you can control your cravings or temptation to vape.
    • Tell others that you are quitting; ask them to not vape around you.

One Step Quit:

  • Pick a day and stop
    • Talk with a quit counselor at no charge
  • Talk with your healthcare provider about nicotine replace therapies (NRTs)- over the counter and prescription strength products

For more information, go to our quitting page.

Vapes are considered hazardous waste because they contain lithium Ion batteries and the e-liquid can also contain toxins such as nicotine that can leach into soil and groundwater.

Lithium ion batteries can be very explosive when damaged and can cause fires in homes or on garbage trucks. It is very important to dispose of them properly.

For Individuals:

  • You can safely dispose of vapes at Household Hazardous Waste disposal sites through Medina Solid Waste District
    • Household Hazardous Waste can be taken for free to 8730 Lake Rd on Monday and Wednesday, from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and Saturdays from 7:00 am to noon.

For Schools or Businesses:

  • You can contact the businesses on this list to coordinate disposal of products with batteries.