Is Nicotine-Free Vaping Safe? ANSES Report Warns of Risks

No, even nicotine-free electronic cigarettes are not harmless. A new report by the French health agency ANSES confirms that vaping without nicotine still poses risks to the respiratory and cardiovascular systems and may contribute to cancer formation due to the inhalation of toxic substances like aldehydes. Vaping is recommended solely as a temporary tool for smoking cessation.

Key Takeaways:

Toxic Inhalation: Aldehydes formed during vaping are carcinogenic, regardless of nicotine.
Systemic Risks: Effects on heart and lung function identified even in nicotine-free products.
Fetal Danger: Risks to fetal development exist whether the mother uses nicotine or not.
Youth Warning: Strong recommendation to prevent normalization and youth access.

The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) has confirmed that vaping carries health risks even when products do not contain nicotine. This development occurs amidst a rise in vaping among 3 million French users, directly resulting in urgent calls to stop promoting e-cigarettes to non-smokers and youth.

Beyond Nicotine: The Dangers of “Just Vapor”

While often perceived as a safe alternative, especially when nicotine is removed, the act of vaping itself is problematic. ANSES has identified “possible medium- and long-term health effects” linked to the repeated inhalation of substances found in e-liquids or created during the heating process.

The primary culprits are aldehydes—synthetic molecules known for their toxicity and carcinogenic potential. These compounds are consistently present in vape emissions, meaning users are inhaling harmful chemicals with every puff, regardless of their nicotine choice.

System Affected	Potential Risks (Nicotine-Free)
Respiratory	Coughing, wheezing, lung irritation, potential link to COPD.
Cardiovascular	Impaired blood vessel function, contributing to heart risks.
Cellular	Carcinogenesis (process of cancer formation).
Fetal Development	Risks to cardiovascular and respiratory growth in fetuses.

A Tool for Cessation, Not Lifestyle

For smokers, the calculation is different. ANSES acknowledges that vaping can be a “temporary option” for those struggling to quit traditional cigarettes, which carry even graver risks. However, this should be a transitional phase within a broader cessation program, not a permanent switch.

For everyone else—especially teenagers driven by fruit flavors and trends—the message is clear: avoid vaping. ANSES stresses the urgency of enforcing bans on sales to minors and halting advertising to prevent the “normalization” of a practice that is far from harmless.