Vaping Myths Busted: A Realistic Look at the Facts

Vaping is full of chemicals, so it’s just as harmful as smoking (or even worse)

Why it’s believed

A lot of people seem to have come to the conclusion that because e-liquids contain “chemicals” they’re automatically bad for you, and that it somehow means they’re just as bad as cigarettes or worse.

Well, I have some news for those people; everything is made out of “chemicals”. The question they should be asking is “what chemicals are in e-liquid?” and “are they bad for you?”

Current Scientific Consensus

Across evidence-based reviews and biomarker studies, vaping exclusively (as opposed to smoking) shows substantially lower exposure to many smoking-related toxicants than smoking itself.

Cigarette chemicals like carbon monoxide, arsenic and tar, are not present in e-liquid vapour. Instead, vaping works by heating propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG), both of which are used in the food, pharmaceutical and beauty industry.

Caveats and Nuance

The important distinction to make here is that these results only apply to users who only vape and not those who ‘dual use’. Smoking while vaping exposes you to the same toxic chemicals and doesn’t negate any of the health issues caused by smoking.

Additionally, our current understanding of the long-term effects of vaping is foggy. The effects of long-term exposure to e-liquid vapour are still to be discovered, and some evidence suggests it can cause respiratory damage under prolonged use.

Vapes contain antifreeze

Why it’s believed

A 2009 FDA analysis reported diethylene glycol (a toxic chemical used in antifreeze) in one cartridge sample, and “antifreeze” became a sticky headline shorthand, often misapplied to common ingredients like propylene glycol.

Current Scientific Consensus

“Antifreeze” is not an accurate general descriptor for e-liquid composition. The specific FDA finding was: diethylene glycol detected in one sample in a small early investigation; product composition and regulation have changed substantially since then.

Caveats and Nuance

Propylene Glycol actually is used in some antifreeze solutions. It has a freezing point of -60 degrees Celsius. It’s widely used in food processing, HVAC systems and solar systems due to its non-toxic nature.

While true, this application of PG doesn’t inherently make it ‘bad for you’. The reason PG is used in this way is as an alternative to actually toxic (and more effective) compounds like ethylene glycol.

For example, if a leak where to occur in a propylene glycol based HVAC system, it wouldn’t be able to pump harmful substances into the air, thus preventing harm to humans.

Nicotine causes cancer

Why it’s believed

Nicotine is strongly associated with smoking in the public mind, and many people assume the addictive ingredient is also the cancer-causing ingredient.

The NHS reports that four in ten smokers and ex-smokers think that nicotine is the cause of most smoking-related cancers.

Current Scientific Consensus

UK public health guidance explains that most smoking harms come from toxic combustion products, not nicotine itself. Cancer charities also state nicotine does not cause cancer in the way smoking does and highlight the long history of nicotine replacement therapy use.

Nicotine is a stimulant, triggering the release of dopamine and epinephrine which enhances focus, among other effects like appetite suppression and a ‘head buzz’.

Caveats and Nuance

As many of you are aware, nicotine is a highly addictive substance. Around 12% of people aged 18-25 are current smokers and 5.4 million adults aged 16 and over use an e-cigarette daily.

Besides creating a dependency, nicotine also raises blood pressure which can have negative effects for people with ongoing heart conditions and pregnant mothers.

Vaping will definitely help me quit smoking

Why it’s believed

When it comes to vaping there are countless success stories, where smokers have moved away from cigarettes by switching to vapes.

Most people know at least one person who has managed to kick their smoking habit through nicotine alternatives like vaping, nicotine pouches or gum.

Current Scientific Consensus

While effective as a smoking cessation tool, vaping is not 100% effective - even the most effective tools yield modest “absolute quit” rates. Evidence shows an increased likelihood of quitting, but not guaranteed success.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews estimates that only a small number (around 10) out of 100 will quit smoking completely due to vaping.

Caveats and Nuance

Though not guaranteed, vaping is by far the most effective smoking cessation tool available right now. It provides a relief to nicotine cravings as well as a “hand to mouth” action which can be equally as important.

As with almost everything, results are measured on an individual level. For some, a direct replacement like vaping may be the answer, while for others a more therapeutic approach could be best.