How E-Cigarettes Affect Your Body
Many people believe
(also called e-cigarettes or vapes) are a safe alternative to traditional cigarettes. But with a recent report from the U.S. surgeon general calling e-cigarette use “a major public health concern,” this may not be the case. More than 1.6 million middle and high school students in the U.S.-- or 5.9% -- used e-cigarettes in 2024, making them the most commonly used tobacco product among teens.
You don’t actually light up an e-cig; they’re powered by a rechargeable lithium battery. Instead of burning
, the “e-liquid” is vaporized in a heating chamber when the user inhales.
The replaceable liquid cartridge contains nicotine mixed with a base (usually propylene glycol), along with flavorings and chemicals. The tip often contains LED lights that simulate the glow of a burning cigarette.
E-cigarettes are available in flavors like cherry, bubble gum, and cotton candy, and are allowed to be advertised on TV, which may increase their appeal for children and
.
Proponents of e-cigarettes claim they’re safer than
because they don’t contain the more than 60
-causing chemicals in tobacco smoke and are not combustible. But e-cigs still deliver harmful chemicals, including nicotine, the extremely addictive substance in cigarettes. And studies show that brands claiming to be “nicotine-free” may still have trace amounts. Developing teenage brains are especially sensitive to nicotine's addictive properties.
See what e-cigs do to your body:
