Vape facts

Here are some key facts based on existing research regarding e-cigarettes.

Components and harmful substances: Not just "water vapor"
E-cigarettes are not harmless water vapor. The aerosol produced after heating contains a complex chemical mixture of various harmful substances.

Core components: The e-liquid usually contains nicotine (an addictive substance), propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin (as a vaporizer), as well as various flavorings and additives.

Heated product: When heated at high temperatures, propylene glycol and glycerin produce carbonyl compounds such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, which can irritate and damage the respiratory tract.

Heavy metal contamination: The aerosol can detect toxic heavy metals such as nickel, lead, and chromium. They are carried into the deep part of the lungs with the aerosol and can be absorbed into the body.

Nicotine content: Some e-liquid has an extremely high nicotine concentration, up to 50 milligrams per milliliter. This means that a 30-milliliter bottle of e-liquid may contain up to 1,500 milligrams of nicotine, equivalent to about 75 packs of traditional cigarettes. A 2025 study pointed out that some one-time e-cigarette devices release metal amounts even higher than those of early refillable e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes, including neurotoxic lead and carcinogenic nickel and antimony.

Flavoring potential risks: Some flavorings (such as diacetyl) may cause severe respiratory diseases when inhaled, commonly known as "popcorn lung."

Health impacts: Systemic risks from the respiratory to the cardiovascular system
More and more evidence indicates that the use of e-cigarettes is associated with various health risks.

Respiratory system: E-cigarette use is associated with an increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. A 2025 systematic review found that non-smokers who use e-cigarettes have a 90% increased risk of respiratory symptoms (relative risk RR = 1.90). Additionally, studies have observed signs of lung inflammation.

Cardiovascular system: Nicotine causes blood vessel constriction and increases blood pressure. Data show that users have a 24% increased risk of cardiovascular diseases compared to those who do not use e-cigarettes.

Oral health: E-cigarette use is associated with an increased risk of oral diseases, with a 53% higher probability.

Other systemic effects: Evidence shows that e-cigarette aerosol can induce oxidative stress, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and immunosuppression, all of which are related to the development of various chronic diseases.

Use by teenagers: A "new wave of nicotine addiction"
The harm of e-cigarettes to teenagers is particularly prominent. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that it is fueling a new wave of nicotine addiction.

Global scale: According to the WHO 2025 report, over 100 million people worldwide use e-cigarettes, including at least 15 million teenagers aged 13 to 15. In countries with data, the probability of teenagers using e-cigarettes is 9 times that of adults.

Addiction and brain development: Teenagers' brains are highly sensitive to nicotine and are more prone to addiction. Using e-cigarettes may cause problems such as distraction, memory loss, and mood irritability, and may increase the probability of trying traditional cigarettes in the future.

High relapse rate: Research by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that the relapse rate of those using e-cigarettes is nearly 10 times that of non-users.

Smoking cessation effects and controversy: Tool or trap?
The role of e-cigarettes in smoking cessation is a complex and controversial topic.

Potential as a smoking cessation tool: There is high-quality evidence suggesting that, with professional support, e-cigarettes containing nicotine can help some adult smokers quit. For instance, a Cochrane systematic review (in 2025) found that compared to nicotine replacement therapies (such as patches), e-cigarettes could increase the rate of quitting smoking (RR 1.59). A study conducted in the emergency department of the UK also showed that providing e-cigarette starter kits and referring them to smoking cessation services could effectively help smokers maintain their quit status.

The risk of dual use: However, a major risk is dual use (that is, using both traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes simultaneously). Studies have shown that the health risks of dual users may be worse. A 2026 study pointed out that the cardiovascular and respiratory risks of dual users would further intensify.

Not a harmless substitute: The WHO clearly warns that e-cigarettes are not a smoking cessation tool and are not a harmless product. They merely change the way nicotine is ingested and cannot truly break the dependence on nicotine; instead, they may form a new dependence.

Regulations and Supervision: The increasingly tightened policy environment
The regulation of e-cigarettes globally is strengthening to address the public health challenges they bring.

China's regulatory framework: China has included e-cigarettes as a new type of tobacco product under tobacco monopoly supervision and established a "1+2+N" regulatory system. Key measures include:

Implementing the "Electronic Cigarette" national mandatory standard to strengthen quality and safety management.

Imposing consumption tax on e-cigarettes and strengthening capacity control.

Prohibiting the sale of flavored e-cigarettes other than tobacco flavors.

Completely prohibiting online sales and online marketing.

Prohibiting the sale of e-cigarettes to minors and prohibiting the smoking of e-cigarettes in schools, kindergartens, and other places.

International regulatory trends: Other regions are also taking similar actions. For example, Hong Kong will ban the possession of e-cigarette oil and cartridges and other alternative tobacco products in public places starting from April 30, 2026. The UK's "2026 Tobacco and Electronic Cigarettes Act" also aims to limit the accessibility of e-cigarettes.

Overall, the existing scientific evidence indicates that e-cigarettes are an addictive product with clear health risks, especially posing a serious threat to teenagers. Although it may provide a smoking cessation option under strict supervision for some adult smokers, the potential hazards and dual use risks cannot be ignored.