Why Vaping Is Not Safer Than Smoking: Health Risks Exposed

In recent years, the popularity of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) – including vapes, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco products – has surged, leading to a sharp increase in nicotine consumption, particularly among youth. While often marketed as a modern, safer alternative to traditional smoking, health authorities and experts are increasingly sounding the alarm. In Russia, for example, the Nizhny Novgorod region is planning a pilot ban on vape sales from March 2026, and federal lawmakers are considering even broader prohibitions. But why such drastic measures? Is vaping truly as dangerous as smoking?

Igor Tabakov, a physician-methodologist at the Nizhny Novgorod Regional Center for Public Health and Medical Prevention, debunks the myth of the “harmless vape” and explains the serious health consequences associated with these devices.

The Marketing Trap: Targeting the Youth

The rise of vaping isn’t accidental; it’s fueled by aggressive marketing strategies from tobacco companies specifically designed to appeal to teenagers and young adults. The narrative that vaping is harmless is, according to Tabakov, “well-planned disinformation.” Devices often resemble harmless gadgets like USB drives – a tactic to make them discreet and attractive to students. The lack of the strong, lingering odor associated with cigarettes makes it easier for young users to hide their habit from parents and teachers, increasing accessibility.

Furthermore, the communal use of vapes among teens – sharing one device to save money or hide it – introduces an additional risk: the transmission of infectious diseases through saliva.

The Reality of “Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems”

Whether it’s a sleek pod system or a bulky mod, the mechanism is similar: a liquid is heated to create an aerosol (vapor) for inhalation. This vapor often contains synthetic nicotine, which is particularly harmful to the developing adolescent brain. It can slow brain development, impair memory and concentration, and reduce self-control and learning ability. Crucially, the nicotine content in a single vape pod can rival that of an entire pack of traditional cigarettes.

Debunking the “Quit Aid” Myth

Manufacturers often claim vapes help smokers quit. Tabakov divides users into two groups: smokers trying to quit and new users. While smokers switch to avoid combustion products, they remain nicotine addicts. For new users, vapes are simply an entry point to addiction. “Electronic devices containing synthetic nicotine cause addiction and harm health just like cigarettes,” Tabakov asserts. Even nicotine-free vapor suppresses the immune system, damages lung and heart tissue, and causes cognitive impairment.

Scientific Evidence: Vaping vs. Smoking

Research confirms the dangers. A comparative analysis of over 400 people aged 21-45 showed that both smokers and vapers suffered comparable damage to blood vessels, including reduced oxygen supply and increased vessel wall fragility. Vapers also showed low levels of nitric oxide molecules, indicating impaired respiratory, immune, and cardiovascular function. The conclusion is clear: the harm from non-tobacco nicotine mixtures is no less than that from conventional cigarettes.

Specific Health Harms of Vaping

There is no such thing as a harmless vape. The health risks depend on the liquid’s composition, which can change when heated:

“Popcorn Lung”: About 75% of e-cigarettes contain diacetyl, a chemical linked to bronchiolitis obliterans, a serious lung disease causing scarring and narrowing of airways.
Toxic Compounds: Heating propylene glycol and glycerin can produce acrolein and formaldehyde, both of which are carcinogenic and mutagenic.
Cardiovascular Damage: Nicotine causes blood vessel spasms and high blood pressure, increasing the risk of hypertensive crises, heart attacks, and strokes.

How to Protect Children and Quit Vaping

Parents play a crucial role. As the first authority figure, a parent’s behavior and words carry immense weight. To effectively warn a child about nicotine, the parent must not be a user themselves. Maintaining a trusting relationship is key to knowing if a child or their friends are vaping.

For those looking to quit, Tabakov offers a strategy:

Define Motivation: Write down why you want to quit.
Educate Yourself: Understand the negative effects and the benefits of quitting.
Set a Date: Choose a quit day and prepare for it.
Identify Triggers: Recognize what makes you want to vape and change those habits.
Find Substitutes: Use gum, nuts, or other distractions to replace the hand-to-mouth action.
Seek Support: Tell friends and family, or join support groups.
Self-Care: Use relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga to manage withdrawal stress.

Quitting takes time and effort, but overcoming nicotine addiction significantly improves quality of life and long-term health.