Health Risks of E-cigarettes
The long-term health effects of e-cigarettes are still being studied. But health problems have been found in people who use them. Children and teenagers are at greater risk for these problems.
Nicotine addiction
Most e-cigarettes have nicotine, which is addictive. Teens who begin using e-cigarettes are more likely to use other forms of tobacco, like regular cigarettes. Quitting e-cigarettes is just as hard as quitting other types of tobacco.
Nicotine might also harm brain development in children and teenagers who use e-cigarettes and other vaping products. This can lead to problems with thinking, focusing, and behavior control.
Lung and heart problems
E-cigarettes and other similar products have been linked to lung problems. Using them can increase your risk of breathing problems. This includes worsening asthma symptoms, more frequent bronchitis, and lung infections.
The nicotine in e-cigarettes also increases heart rate, raises blood pressure, and might irritate blood vessels.
We still don’t fully understand the health problems people might have if they use e-cigarettes for a long time. But it’s concerning that things like irritated blood vessels and increased heart rate and blood pressure are also seen in people who smoke cigarettes.
E-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI)
In 2019 there were many reports of serious lung disease in some people using e-cigarettes or other vaping devices. Symptoms included:
- Cough, trouble breathing, or chest pain
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Fatigue, fever, or weight loss
Some people had to be hospitalized, and some died from their illness. Some of these lung injuries were linked to products that were changed, including products that had vitamin E acetate. But there were also many EVALI cases that didn't involve added vitamin E.
The number of EVALI cases has since dropped, but there are still people being diagnosed with EVALI. More studies are being done to look for other possible causes.
Other health problems
There have been reports of people having seizures after vaping. This has been reported most often in young people. It is thought to be caused by nicotine, but more studies are being done.
Studies are also starting to show a link between e-cigarette use and damage to teeth and other oral tissues. This includes cavities in the teeth and irritation of gums and other membranes in the mouth.
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The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as editors and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
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US Department of Health and Human Services. E-cigarette Use Among Youth and Young Adults. A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta (GA): US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health; 2016. Accessed at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538680/ on October 3, 2024.
Last Revised: November 19, 2024
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