Health risks of vaping

According to authoritative information from the World Health Organization (WHO) and many national health institutions, e-cigarettes are not harmless "vapor". Their use brings clear and various health risks.
Based on the current scientific evidence, the following is a summary of the main health risks associated with e-cigarettes:
Damage to the respiratory system
The aerosol of electronic cigarettes contains various harmful substances, which directly damage the respiratory tract and lungs.
EVALI (Electronic Vaping-Related Lung Injury): This is an acute and severe lung disease that can lead to respiratory failure and even death. Its outbreak is closely related to the use of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) electronic vaping products containing vitamin E acetate in regions such as the United States.
Increased risk of chronic lung diseases: Research has confirmed that using electronic cigarettes significantly increases the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Systematic reviews show that the risk of COPD for e-cigarette users is approximately 50% or more higher than that of non-users.
Other lung injuries: These include obliterative bronchiolitis (commonly known as "popcorn lung"), lipoid pneumonia, and alveolar hemorrhage, etc. These diseases are related to flavoring agents such as diacetyl in e-cigarette oil.
Increasing the risk of infection: E-cigarettes can damage the immune cells in the lungs, weakening their ability to resist infections.
❤️ Impact on the cardiovascular system
The nicotine and other harmful substances in e-cigarettes put pressure on the cardiovascular system.
Increases risk of cardiovascular diseases: Research shows that compared to non-users, those who use e-cigarettes have a 24% higher chance of developing cardiovascular diseases. Using e-cigarettes is associated with problems such as increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and arteriosclerosis.
Increases the risk of myocardial infarction: Evidence shows that long-term use of electronic cigarettes can quietly increase the risk of major diseases such as myocardial infarction.
 Cancer risk
E-cigarettes do contain known carcinogens.
Contains multiple carcinogens: The aerosol of electronic cigarettes contains formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and other carbonyl compounds, as well as heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead. These are all known or potential carcinogens.
There is evidence of carcinogenicity: Although the level of carcinogens in e-cigarettes may be lower than that of traditional cigarettes, it is not zero. A study involving over 4.5 million people found that the risk of lung cancer for those who quit smoking and then used e-cigarettes was 56% higher than that of those who completely quit smoking.
Causing genetic damage: Research has found that the oral cells of e-cigarette users show DNA damage related to an increased risk of cancer. Another study also revealed that more than 3,000 genes in e-cigarette users' bodies have abnormal expressions.
 Impact on the brain and mental health (especially for teenagers)
Nicotine is particularly harmful to the developing brain (until around the age of 25).
High addiction potential: The nicotine in e-cigarettes has extremely strong addictive properties and can alter brain function.
Affecting brain development: Nicotine can damage the brain regions responsible for attention control, learning, emotion regulation and impulse control.
Inducing psychological problems: The use of electronic cigarettes is associated with an increased risk of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
Turning into a "gateway" for smoking: Teenagers who use electronic cigarettes are three to five times more likely to smoke regular cigarettes in the future compared to those who do not use them.
Impact on pregnant women and fetuses
Harm to fetal development: Nicotine is toxic to the developing fetus and poses a health risk to pregnant women.
Harm to infant lungs: Studies have shown that smoking e-cigarettes during pregnancy may still pose a serious risk to the developing lungs of the infant.
⚠️ Other risks that cannot be ignored
Second-hand aerosol hazard: The second-hand aerosol produced by e-cigarettes is not harmless either. It also contains toxic substances and can pose a threat to the health of people around.
Risk of accidental poisoning: If children ingest e-cigarette liquid or come into skin contact with it, it can lead to severe nicotine poisoning and even death.
Equipment safety hazard: The lithium batteries of electronic cigarettes have the risk of malfunction, which may cause fires or explosions, resulting in severe burns.
 Summary
In conclusion, e-cigarettes are not a safe alternative. They can harm the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, increase the risk of cancer, cause irreversible damage to brain development (especially in teenagers), and present multiple risks such as addiction, accidental poisoning, and equipment safety issues.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and various national health agencies all recommend that any form of e-cigarette is harmful to health and should not be used.