E-cigarettes are devices that heat liquid nicotine and flavoring for inhalation. They have been sold in the U.S. for about a decade and are also known as vapes, vape pens, e-hookahs, hookah sticks, mods, or personal vaporizers (PVs).
Collectively called Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), they come in various forms and names but serve the same purpose of delivering nicotine through vapor.
E-cigarettes release dangerous chemicals like acetaldehyde, acrolein, and formaldehyde, which can cause lung disease and cardiovascular problems.
In 2016, the Surgeon General reported that secondhand emissions from e-cigarettes contain harmful substances like nicotine, ultrafine particles, diacetyl (linked to lung disease), benzene (found in car exhaust), and heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead.
E-Cigarettes can worsen asthma, increase the likelihood of bronchitis, and cause lung infections. They contain tiny particles that can be inhaled deeply into the lungs.
Nicotine in e-cigarettes can raise blood pressure, increase heart rate, irritate blood vessels, and is highly addictive, leading to cravings, irritability, and withdrawal symptoms.
The chemicals and nicotine in e-cigarettes contribute to cardiovascular risks, including elevated heart rates and damaged blood vessels.
1. The FDA has not found e-cigarettes to be safe or effective for helping people quit tobacco products.