Can vape kill you?

Yes, e-cigarettes can indeed lead to death. Although it is not common, several definite pathways to death have been confirmed.
☠️ Death path 1: E-cigarette-related lung injury (EVALI)
This is the most well-known cause of death from e-cigarettes. From 2019 to 2020, a large-scale EVALI outbreak occurred in the United States.
Official data: According to the data from the US CDC, as of February 2020, a total of 2,807 hospital cases had been reported across the United States, with 60 deaths.
Characteristics of death: The median age of the deceased patients was 45 years old, and they often had underlying diseases such as heart disease, asthma, or obesity.
The main culprit: The investigation revealed that the epidemic is highly correlated with the vitamin E acetate additive used in illegal THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) e-cigarettes.
Pathway to Death No. 2: Accidental or Intentional Ingestion of E-Liquid
E-cigarette e-liquid, especially those with high concentrations of nicotine, is a highly toxic liquid. Swallowing or skin contact can lead to fatal poisoning.
Intentional ingestion (suicide): There are case reports indicating that a 27-year-old male and a 17-year-old female experienced cardiac arrest after ingesting approximately 23mg/kg and 30mg/kg of nicotine respectively. Another 20-year-old female underwent 46 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation before regaining a heartbeat, but still suffered severe hypoxic brain damage.
Accidental ingestion and contamination: There have also been cases where people died due to accidental ingestion of homemade e-liquid contaminated with toxic alcohol (such as methanol).
Death Pathway 3: "Upgraded E-cigarettes" Containing Harmful Substances
In China, the "upgraded e-cigarettes" seized by the police often contain controlled substances such as etomidate, synthetic cannabinoids, and tildelemide (a veterinary anesthetic). These substances can cause respiratory depression, shock, and even direct death, or lead to secondary accidents such as falling from buildings or traffic accidents due to impaired consciousness.
❤️ Pathway to Death No. 4: Triggering Fatal Cardiovascular Events
The nicotine and other components in e-cigarettes can cause intense stimulation to the cardiovascular system.
Case: A report indicates that a 13-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl suffered cardiac arrest (ventricular fibrillation) after using e-cigarettes.
Mechanism: Nicotine activates the sympathetic nervous system, causing tachycardia, elevated blood pressure, and may induce coronary artery spasm, reducing blood supply to the heart muscle. Other components may also directly cause arrhythmias.
Other Risks and Long-Term Effects
Overdose: Excessive intake of nicotine can cause dizziness, confusion, and in severe cases, even death.
Long-term risks: The WHO has clearly stated that the aerosol from e-cigarettes contains carcinogens and can increase the risks of heart disease and lung disorders. A study also suggests that using e-cigarettes after quitting smoking may undermine the benefits of reducing the risk of lung cancer and mortality.
Summary
In conclusion, e-cigarettes are not harmless "vaporizers"; they do carry lethal risks. These risks stem not only from the products themselves but also from the chaotic black market and unknown additives.