Vaping causes both physical and mental harm. When young people vape, they inhale much more than flavored aerosol. They breathe in addictive nicotine and more than 31+ dangerous chemicals, including formaldehyde, benzene, and cancer-causing chemicals.

Negative Impacts on Mental and Physical Health 

Effects on the body

Vapes emit an aerosol that includes 31+ chemicals and compounds that affect different parts of the body.

Brain:

• The brain is still developing until around age 25. Using nicotine during adolescence can permanently harm the parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control.

Lungs:

• Flavoring chemicals such as diacetyl can permanently injure the lungs.
• Breathing in ultrafine vapor particles can lead to asthma attacks, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

Organs (Brain, Heart, Kidneys, Lungs, Liver):

• Heavy metals in the vapor can build up in the blood and organs and cause damage.

Head (Eyes, Nose, Throat):

• Chemicals known as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, cause eye, nose, and throat irritation; severe headaches, nausea, and organ damage.
• Formaldehyde irritates the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. It also may cause lung and throat cancer over time.

Skin and face:

• Exploding batteries have caused serious fires and explosions. Some explosions have resulted in serious injuries and death.

Addiction

Besides having the potential to harm adolescent brain development, nicotine is also highly addictive. Studies show that teens who use nicotine are more likely to experiment with other substances.

Nicotine addiction is difficult to break. It takes determination, support, and time to stop vaping for good.