What we know so far
This section is about vaping nicotine or e-juice using e-cigarettes or vapes. It doesn’t cover vaping cannabis.
Vaping can feel like a safer choice than smoking, but it’s not risk-free. Research is still catching up, especially for youth and long-term use. Knowing the facts can help you make choices to protect your health.
Want to dig deeper? Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH) has helpful resources on vaping and health.
Key points about vaping
Vapes heat a liquid – usually with nicotine – into a mist you breathe in.
They have significantly fewer toxins than cigarettes, but they are not harmless and we don’t know the long-term effects.
Vaping can raise blood pressure, irritate lungs and cause strong nicotine addiction.
Flavourings change when heated, and some flavours are more harmful than others.
What we know
1. Types of devices
- Disposables: Use until liquid is done, then throw away.
- Pods: Small vapes with snap-in cartridges.
- Vape pens: Refillable and shaped like a pen.
- Box mods: Bigger, more powerful and can be customized.
2. Health effects we know about
- Your lungs: Coughing, irritation and shortness of breath.
- Your heart and blood: Raised heart rate and blood pressure.
- Addiction risks: Most vapes contain nicotine which is very addictive.
- Other effects: Nausea, sore throat and dry mouth.
- Long-term risks: Still unknown; research is ongoing.
- Secondhand vapour: May harm others, especially children.
3. Can vaping help you quit smoking?
- If other quit methods – like coaching, counselling or quit aids like NRT, medications or cytisine – haven’t worked for you, talk with a quit coach or health care provider. Switching fully to vaping could increase your chances of staying smoke-free.
- It’s important to talk to a health care provider before switching if you:
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding/chestfeeding.
- Have heart or blood pressure issues.
- Use other substances like cannabis or alcohol.
- Want to learn more? Download the Pathways to a Smoke-Free life guide.
4. Vaping and youth
- Flavours and sleek designs attract teens.
- Can lead to cigarette smoking in some youth.
- Nicotine affects memory, focus and mood.
- Teen brains are more vulnerable to addiction.
- Social media and ads make vaping seem trendy.
5. What we don’t know yet
- The full long-term health effects (the products are too new).
- The impact of inhaling heated flavourings.
- The real risk of secondhand vapour.
- Which chemical changes happen when liquids are heated.
- How vaping compares to smoking over time.
6. Rules and regulations
- Laws differ by region.
- Flavour bans and marketing rules are evolving.
- Stores that sell them are required to ask for ID.
- Tax and packaging rules are still catching up.
- There are no universal safety standards yet.
Thinking about quitting?
You do not have to do it alone. Quitpath offers free coaching, research-backed tools and quit aids to make your next step easier.