Vaping has become the new trend among teenagers. However, the myth that it's less harmful than smoking traditional cigarettes turns out to be completely misleading. Even though the ingredients of a particular vape are listed on the packaging, it may still contain unlisted dangerous substances. What do parents need to know about this growing trend and the risks it carries?
What Do Vapes Contain?
The main difference between smoking traditional cigarettes and using e-cigarettes is that, in the first case, users inhale smoke from burned tobacco leaves, while in the second – they inhale “nicotine in vapor,” produced by heating a liquid usually made up of propylene glycol, glycerin, flavorings, and other chemicals.
Unlike traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes do not contain tobacco, tar, or carbon monoxide – two of the most dangerous elements (according to a source from Eurocom).
Nicotine is an addictive substance found in most e-cigarettes. “In addition to being addictive, the aerosols generated may contain potentially toxic substances, including metals and dangerous chemicals like acetaldehyde, acrolein, and formaldehyde,” says Dr. Ryan Kennedy (Associate Professor at the Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health) in an article for Parents.
It’s difficult to test every vape on the market, making them even more hazardous. In an interview for BTV, Dr. Rada Prokopova (Head of Cardiology at St. Anna University Hospital in Sofia) stated that vaping is extremely harmful, regardless of whether the device contains nicotine or other substances. She also noted that the appealing aromatic liquids in vapes may contain toxic compounds that cause significant harm and are difficult to detect in tests. “Even the flavoring substances – like watermelon, melon, or bubblegum – are toxic because they generate massive amounts of free radicals. These are cell killers,” she explains.
A case in Bulgaria revealed that one type of vape contained hexahydrocannabinol (HHC). In a report for BNT1, Vladimir Nikolov (District Prosecutor of Pleven) explained, “This substance is naturally found in cannabis and marijuana. This suggests that the vape may contain a high-risk narcotic, the possession of which is prohibited under Bulgarian law.” Moreover, HHC is banned for medical use.
What Health Risks Do Vapes Pose?
Any form of smoking – whether cigarettes or vapes – affects health. According to Eurocom, a study by Australian scientists showed how vaping damages the body. Many of the chemicals in vape and cigarette smoke alter the function of immune cells in the lungs, specifically MAIT cells, which fight bacterial and viral infections and help repair damaged tissue.
The study examined the effects of cigarette smoke on MAIT cells from both human blood and mice. Researchers found that the smoke impairs the cells’ defensive function. “Chemicals, including benzaldehyde derivatives used as flavorings in e-cigarettes, mimic the signals to which MAIT cells typically respond during infections.”
Vaping also affects the brain. The nicotine in vapes “triggers the release of chemical messengers such as dopamine, associated with reward and pleasure, within 20 seconds of inhalation. It also increases heart rate and blood pressure and causes blood vessels to constrict. This is because nicotine stimulates the release of adrenaline,” the study explains.
The vapor from e-cigarettes affects not only the physical but also the mental health of adolescents: “Reactions vary – from psychomotor agitation, aggressiveness, inappropriate behavior, and even hallucinations… In some cases, it can lead to heart attacks,” says Dr. Olympiada Atmazhova (toxicologist) in a BNT1 report.
Why Do Teenagers Start Vaping?
Smoking rates among teens are at a record low – which is good news. However, the use of vapes is on the rise. The appealing packaging designs, flavors, and social influence are major reasons why teens start vaping.
Curiosity is a natural part of adolescence. Teens often want to try everything without understanding the consequences. The easy access to vapes is a problem – they’re sold at supermarket checkouts, small stores, and online. In the digital space, purchasing vapes (and more) is not difficult. That’s why it’s essential for teens to be well-informed about the health risks associated with these devices.
Teen Hackers: Modifying Vape Devices
Teens are now even “hacking” their vapes. One way is by refilling devices or the batteries in single-use vape pods.
Another method is mixing nicotine and cannabis liquids, or adding THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) to vape devices designed only for nicotine. These modifications increase harm by posing a higher risk of explosions, lung damage from contaminants, and hidden marijuana use, says Dr. Grace Kong (Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine) in a Parents article.
Teens learn these hacks from social media or peers. They must understand that any unauthorized modification is dangerous to their health.