
Image: Thorn Yang / Pexel
Office e-smokers, you’re still being uncool to your co-workers. The World Health Organisation breaks down what we know and what we don’t about vapes.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently released a list of seven commonly asked questions about e-cigarettes, like whether or not they’re safer than traditional cigarettes and what they mean for your lungs and those around you. Here’s what the WHO thinks you should know via its latest fact sheet.
Are e-cigarettes and other vaping products dangerous?
There are different types of e-cigarettes, also known as Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, with varying amounts of nicotine and harmful emissions.
These emissions typically contain nicotine and other toxic substances that are harmful to both users and those exposed to the vapours secondhand. Some devices that claim to be nicotine-free have, in fact, been found to contain nicotine.
There is no doubt Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems are harmful to a person’s health, the WHO says, but it is too early to provide a clear answer on the long-term impact of using them or being exposed to them.
Vapes and e-cigarettes are particularly risky when used by adolescents, the global health body warns. Nicotine is highly addictive, and young people’s brains develop up to their mid-20s. Exposure to nicotine can have long-lasting, damaging effects.

Are e-cigarettes a gateway to smoking for young people? Image: Ivandrei Pretorius / Pexel
Young people who use e-cigarettes are also more likely to use conventional cigarettes, cigars or hookahs, the WHO says.
And e-cigarettes increase the risk of heart disease and lung disorders. For pregnant women, they pose significant risks as they can damage the growing fetus.
Lastly, the liquid inside your favourite vapes can burn you and quickly cause nicotine poisoning if swallowed or absorbed through the skin. There is a risk of the devices leaking, or of children swallowing the liquid, and these electronic devices have been known to cause severe injuries through fires and explosions.
That’s right, we said explosions.
Can we blame e-cigarettes for all those mysterious lung injuries?
There is growing evidence to show that Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems could cause lung damage.
On 17 September 2019, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) activated an emergency investigation into links between Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems use and lung injuries and deaths.
By 10 December 2019, the USA reported more than 2 409 hospitalised cases and 52 confirmed deaths.
At least five other countries have initiated investigations to identify cases of lung injuries related to Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems use.
Are e-cigarettes really more dangerous than regular cigarettes?
This depends on a range of factors, the WHO says, including the amount of nicotine and other toxicants in the heated liquids, but the global health body says it’s clear they pose clear health risks and are by no means safe.
Are e-cigarettes addictive?
Yes, says the WHO in its latest fact sheet. Nicotine is highly addictive, and e-cigarettes involve the inhalation of a nicotine-infused aerosol.
Are secondhand emissions dangerous?
Yes. The aerosols in e-cigarettes typically contain toxic substances, including glycol, which is used to make antifreeze. Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems pose risks to users and non-users.
Should they be banned?
Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems are banned in over 30 countries and more nations are considering bans to protect young people.
Where vapes and e-cigarettes aren’t forbidden, the WHO now recommends e-cigarettes should be regulated and this should aim to:
- Disrupt the promotion and uptake of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems products.
- Reduce the potential health risks to e-cigarette users and non-users.
- Prohibit false or unproven claims from being made about Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems.
- Protect existing tobacco-control efforts.
About 15 000 unique flavours are used in e-cigarettes, including flavours designed to attract young people, like bubble gum and cotton candy.
Governments should also restrict Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems advertising, promotion and sponsorship so young people, other vulnerable groups and non-smokers are not targeted.

Image: Pavel Shishkin / Adobe Stock
The use of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems in indoor public and workplaces should be banned, given the health risks posed to non-users.
Taxing Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems in a similar way to tobacco products offers a win-win for governments by protecting citizens through higher prices that deter consumption.
Will e-cigarettes help me quit smoking?
For tobacco users looking to quit, there are other proven, safer and licensed products, such as nicotine replacement therapies (such as patches and gums), as well as quitting hotlines, mobile messaging and specialised tobacco dependence treatments.
- Source: Bhekisisa
What a biased article about the dangers of e-cigarettes – Cellphones and powerbanks explode as well…As a matter of fact vape will not cause tar in your lungs and also not making you inhale that very tasteless toxic carbonmonoxyde (which deplets your blood/body/brain from oxygen). Vaping does make smoking much more enjoyable and is not all about nicotin anyway. It is also about relaxation. No cough for example compared to burned tobacco and paper inhaling is also a good thing. If it would so, people would use the nicotinplasters/gums etc and would stop without problems. The dangers of the liquid is also about the quality from that stuff. Like with everything else, there is a difference if one consumes petrol or a 5 year old whisky to get drunk or chemical, sugary food from Nestle etc or eats organic grown carotts. In Germany for example is all liquid sold in the shops checked by the state foodregulator. Cheap noname stuff with unknown ingredients from China etc cant get on the market.
I general causes vaping no known sudden sideffects like coughing or dizziness. In fact since i changed 2,5 years ago from smoking to vaping my live changed to the better. Until than i liked to smoked between 40-80 with 8mg nicotin, but from the 40th onwards it became often very unpleasant… Now with my 4mg vape liquid i can ‘smoke’ the equivalent of 100 and more cigarettes. So pleasant now…
There is also big technical and quality differences between the used vape devices. From cheap and leaky, but also with how many watts a device heats the liquid. (from 5-200!!!) That might also change the health effects a lot. Its also a bit like if one drives a car with 80 or 150 kmh over a highway.
I am not related to any kind of vape business and wish everybody a happy live.
I hear you, but am still concerned about those chemicals in your lungs. As a person with damaged lungs I know how precious every breath is … please take great care and love them.