How does vaping affect your health?

Scientists are still working hard to understand all the ways vaping can affect your health in the long run. But here's what we know for sure right now:

Even though some adults who smoke might switch to vaping to help them quit, that doesn’t mean vaping is safe for young people who have never smoked.

There are still harmful chemicals in the vapour you inhale. These chemicals could cause problems with your lungs, heart, and other body parts.

Remember, your body and brain are still growing and developing until your mid-twenties, and nicotine can mess with this development.

Because vaping is relatively new, we don’t yet know all the long-term health consequences, particularly for young people.

This is a big unknown, and scientists are actively researching it. However, medical professionals are increasingly concerned. 

There’s also growing concern that vaping could negatively affect your mental health and overall well-being.

The majority of vapes contain nicotine, and it’s not just a little bit addictive – it’s highly addictive.

This means your brain and body can quickly become dependent on it. If you try to stop, you might experience cravings and feel unwell. This can make it really difficult to quit once you’ve started.

Nicotine also comes with its own health risks.

Here are some health concerns that are specific to young people. 

Addiction: Nicotine is highly addictive. Young people can develop nicotine dependence quickly from vaping. The percentage of young vapers reporting strong urges to vape increased significantly from 26% in 2020 to 44% in 2024.

Cognitive impairment: Nicotine withdrawal can lead to long-lasting changes in cognition (thinking), attention, and memory; this can directly impact your ability to learn and perform well in school. 

Mood: Withdrawal symptoms associated with nicotine dependence can also contribute to mood disorders like depression and anxiety (link). This can affect factors like your overall wellbeing and social life. 

Brain development: The developing brain is particularly vulnerable to nicotine’s effects, which can disrupt normal brain development. This could have long-term consequences for learning, impulse control, and mood regulation. 

  

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