What Are the Health Risks of Vaping?

In recent years, vaping has surged in popularity, particularly among young adults and teenagers. Marketed as a safer alternative to traditional smoking, e-cigarettes and vape devices have found their way into the daily routines of millions.

However, beneath the sleek designs and enticing flavors lies a myriad of health risks that are often overlooked.  What many school officials, school staff, parents and students don’t understand is why vaping is not a safe or healthy alternative to smoking. Many see it as superior to inhaling burning tobacco smoke.

This article delves into the hidden dangers of vaping, shedding light on its impact on health, the environment, and society.

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Risks Associated with Vaping

Vaping Health Risks

1. Respiratory Issues: Contrary to the belief that vaping is gentler on the lungs than smoking, studies have shown significant respiratory risks associated with e-cigarette use. The inhalation of aerosolized chemicals can lead to lung damage, including conditions like “popcorn lung,” a serious disease caused by diacetyl, a chemical found in some vape flavors.
2. Cardiovascular Concerns: Vaping has been linked to increased heart rate and blood pressure, elevating the risk of heart disease. The presence of nicotine and other harmful substances in e-cigarette aerosol can contribute to arterial stiffness and inflammation, factors known to adversely affect cardiovascular health.
3. Nicotine Addiction and Brain Development: Many e-cigarettes contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance that can harm adolescent brain development, impacting areas responsible for attention, learning, and impulse control. Early exposure to nicotine increases the likelihood of developing addiction and can serve as a gateway to traditional cigarette use.
4. Exposure to Toxic Chemicals: Vape liquids often contain a cocktail of chemicals, including formaldehyde, acrolein, and acetaldehyde, which are known to cause lung disease and cancer. Additionally, heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead have been detected in e-cigarette aerosol, posing further health risks upon inhalation.

RELATED: Addressing the School E-Cigarette and Vaping Epidemic

Physical Dangers of Vape Equipment

1. Device Malfunctions and Explosions: There have been alarming reports of vape devices malfunctioning, leading to explosions and severe injuries. For instance, a woman suffered significant burns when her vape device ignited in her pocket, emphasizing the potential dangers of these electronic gadgets.
2. Battery Hazards: The lithium-ion batteries used in vape devices are prone to overheating and can explode if not handled properly. Such incidents have resulted in severe burns and other injuries, highlighting the importance of proper usage and storage of these devices.

Environmental and Societal Impacts of Vaping

1. Youth Epidemic: The appealing flavors and perceived safety of vaping have led to a dramatic increase in use among teenagers. Studies indicate that a significant percentage of school students have tried e-cigarettes, raising concerns about nicotine addiction and long-term health consequences in this vulnerable demographic.
2. Environmental Concerns: Vaping indoors can result in the deposition of a toxic, oily residue on surfaces, which can be absorbed through the skin upon contact. This not only poses health risks to inhabitants but also raises questions about the environmental impact of widespread vaping.

Dangerous Drugs Found in Vape Devices

In addition to the above concerns, everyone must understand that there are now all kinds of illicit drugs available in vapes, including like heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana. What began as a method for consuming nicotine has evolved into a delivery system for a wide array of dangerous and illicit substances—often without the user’s full awareness. The small, concealable nature of vape devices makes them ideal for smuggling and discreet use of the following substances:

1. THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol): Cannabis-derived THC oil is one of the most common substances vaped illegally, especially among teens. Vape cartridges with THC are often homemade or purchased off the street, lacking quality control and often contaminated with Vitamin E acetate—a chemical linked to the 2019–2020 EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury) outbreak.
2. Synthetic Cannabinoids (“K2” or “Spice”): These lab-made substances mimic THC but can be far more potent and unpredictable. Vaping synthetic cannabinoids can cause severe agitation, hallucinations, seizures, or even death. They’re often found in counterfeit vape cartridges or mislabeled products sold online or in unregulated shops.
3. Fentanyl and Other Opioids: Disturbingly, law enforcement agencies have reported cases of vape devices being used to ingest fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Inhaling fentanyl through vaping accelerates absorption into the bloodstream, increasing the risk of overdose and death. Some cases have involved vapes laced with fentanyl or mixed with other street drugs.
4. Methamphetamine and Cocaine Derivatives: Though less common, there are confirmed instances where individuals have used vape devices to consume meth or cocaine-based liquids. This method bypasses nasal or oral ingestion, delivering an intense, immediate high and contributing to rapid addiction and severe neurological harm.
5. Benzodiazepines and Designer Drugs: Illegal vape liquids have also been found to contain benzodiazepines like Xanax or novel psychoactive substances (NPS), which can be incredibly dangerous when vaped without any dosage control.

These trends not only represent a significant health crisis but also create dangerous complications for schools, law enforcement, and parents trying to identify and prevent drug use.

RELATED: Vaping and Students with Disabilities: How Schools Can Address the Risks

Legal Consequences of Vaping

When we talk about consequences of vaping, besides the ones mentioned in this article, there are also the legal consequences of vaping. Possessing vape pods or cartridges that contain fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and other illegal drugs can expose young people to the legal system.

Possession of these drugs, even in the form of vape pods and cartridges, is still illegal and you can get arrested for having them. We also know that some students have made a business of procuring these drug-laced vape products and selling them to other students. This is narcotics sales, and distribution, and the penalties are much higher than possession alone. These items can be found and purchased on the internet, making this kind of drug dealing relatively easy. Getting caught can ruin a young person’s life.

Many school districts have police notification policies in place for the possession and distribution of vapes in school, while others take the education route, avoiding the police. Either way, there can be serious consequences for being involved with vapes, especially in our schools.

With the rise in counterfeit and homemade vape cartridges, users may have no idea what chemicals they’re inhaling. Education, regulation, and proactive intervention are critical in combating this growing threat to public health and safety.

Joseph Pangaro is a retired police lieutenant from Ocean Township, N.J. and the former director of school safety and security for a large school district in New Jersey. He is a Certified Public Manager (CPM) and the CEO of Pangaro Training. He can be reached at [email protected].

NOTE: The views expressed by guest bloggers and contributors are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, Campus Safety.