Vaping—using electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) such as e-cigarettes and vape pens—has grown rapidly over the past decade. Many users start vaping in part because it is marketed as safer than smoking cigarettes, or as a quitting aid. Yet the evidence on its risks, addiction potential, and how best to quit remains evolving.
Why vaping is so rampant
Vaping has proliferated for several reasons:
- Perception of reduced harm
Many users believe vaping is a safer alternative to combustible tobacco. While e-cigarettes generally expose users to fewer known carcinogens than traditional cigarettes, they remain far from harmless. - Flavors and marketing appeal
Flavored e-liquids—such as fruit, candy, or dessert tastes—help mask nicotine’s harshness and attract young or new users. Some devices allow customization and appear tech-savvy or “fun.”
A 2025 study found that many disposable vapes contain hazardous metals (lead, nickel, antimony) at levels that may exceed those in conventional cigarettes. - Ease of access
In many regions regulatory oversight is still catching up. Vape devices and e-liquids are sold in shops and online, often with little barrier.
Additionally, social media, influencer culture, and peer use help normalize vaping among adolescents and young adults. - Nicotine addiction and tolerance
Vaping delivers nicotine (or nicotine salts) efficiently to the lungs, inducing dependence. Over time, users increase dose or devices to maintain effect. Those attempting to stop often face withdrawal symptoms.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that quitting vaping may resemble quitting smoking, since both involve nicotine addiction and withdrawal symptoms.
Effects on health
Although the long-term health consequences continue to emerge, a growing body of evidence links vaping to multiple adverse outcomes.
Respiratory disease
Vaping has been associated with chronic bronchitis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aerosol may provoke inflammation, oxidative stress, and tissue injury in bronchial and alveolar cells.
In 2025, Johns Hopkins Medicine released a study showing that exclusive e-cigarette use was associated with higher risks of COPD and elevated blood pressure—even among non-smokers.
Cardiovascular effects
Nicotine and other constituents in vape aerosols may impair endothelial function, raise heart rate, and promote arterial stiffness. Some case reports describe myocardial infarctions in young vapers, though causation is difficult to prove in individual cases.
Toxic chemical exposure
Vape aerosols may contain volatile organic compounds (e.g. acrolein, formaldehyde), heavy metals, and particulate matter. Acrolein, used as a herbicide, is of particular concern; inhaled acrolein contributes to acute lung injury and may contribute to COPD and cancer development.
One 2025 research effort found that some disposable e-cigarettes had higher metal emissions than traditional cigarettes—a cause for alarm.
Cancer risk (current evidence)
Data remain limited and mixed. A 2025 systematic review found no “significant incident or prevalent risk of lung or other cancers” in never-smoker vapers, though the authors cautioned that long latency periods and evolving devices limit conclusions.
Still, some inhaled compounds in e-cigarette aerosols are recognized carcinogens or precursors in biological systems.
Effects in young people
Vaping in youth is linked to respiratory symptoms (wheezing, cough), increased risk of lower respiratory infections, and decreased lung function growth. An umbrella review in 2025 found associations with pneumonia, bronchitis, lower sperm count, dizziness, and more.
Additionally, adolescents who vape are more likely to progress to combustible cigarette use. A recent large study found that young e-cigarette users were about three times more likely to begin smoking cigarettes.
Mental health and addiction
Nicotine use in adolescence may harm neurodevelopment, especially in circuits of reward, attention, and impulse control.
Users who quit report reduced anxiety, stress, and improved mood as part of recovery.
Why you need to stop vaping
Given these health risks—and the still-uncertain long-term impacts—stopping vaping offers medical and psychological benefits:
- Reduced lung and cardiovascular risk
Ceasing vaping can reduce inflammation, allow tissue repair, and reduce exposure to toxicants. - Breaking nicotine dependence
Over time, the brain and body recover from addiction, and tolerance decreases. - Improved quality of life
Users often report better breathing, reduced cough/sputum, improved energy, and lower stress. - Preventing progression
For younger users, quitting early may prevent transition to heavier nicotine use or combustible cigarettes. - Uncertainty avoidance
As devices evolve and new chemicals appear, stopping removes exposure to unknown future risks.
Practical steps on how to stop vaping
Quitting vaping is challenging—especially for those with high nicotine dependence—but evidence and clinical practice suggest structured strategies increase the likelihood of success. Many approaches parallel those used for smoking cessation.
1. Behavioral interventions and support
Behavioral counseling, motivational interviewing, and cognitive behavioral therapy help users identify triggers, manage cravings, and build coping skills. In smoking cessation, combining counseling with medication nearly doubles success compared to usual care.
Some studies also explore reducing nicotine concentration over time or gradually decreasing use—the “step-down” method. One small trial suggested that reducing vaping behaviour might increase cessation compared to minimal support, though evidence is weak.
2. Pharmacotherapy and nicotine replacement
Because vaping delivers nicotine, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) may help manage withdrawal. Classic NRT includes patches, gums, lozenges, inhalers, and nasal sprays. For smoking, evidence shows all forms of NRT work, and combining patch plus a fast-acting form increases abstinence.
Other medications include:
- Varenicline (a partial nicotine receptor agonist)
In smoking cessation trials, varenicline outperforms bupropion and NRT in achieving abstinence.
Some limited evidence suggests varenicline may help users quit vaping, though data are few. - Bupropion (an atypical antidepressant)
It has modest efficacy in smoking cessation; in vaping, data are scarce. - Cytisine
Cytisine is emerging as another option in smoking cessation, with trials demonstrating favorable quit rates; it’s mentioned in broader tobacco cessation reviews.
However, no pharmacologic therapy is yet approved specifically for vaping cessation, and use is off-label.
3. Combination therapy
Behavioral support plus pharmacotherapy yields the highest quit rates. Meta-analyses show quit rates of around 15 % at six months when combining both, compared to ~8.6 % with brief advice or usual care.
4. Digital and low-intensity supports
Apps, online programs, and SMS-based support systems may offer scalable help, especially for younger users. Their efficacy is modest in smoking cessation settings, but they may supplement other strategies.
5. Set a quit date and gradually reduce
Choosing a firm quit date helps with goal planning. Some users may gradually reduce vaping use or nicotine concentration before quitting fully (a “step-down” approach).
6. Manage withdrawal and cravings
Withdrawal symptoms may include irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, increased appetite, and nicotine craving. Behavioral strategies—distraction, deep breathing, physical activity, peer support—can help. Pharmacotherapy helps blunt the intensity.
7. Relapse prevention
Relapse is common. Users benefit from continued follow-up, booster counseling sessions, coping plans for exposure to triggers (social situations, stress, advertisements), and, if relapse occurs, rapid re-engagement in support and treatment.
Vaping is not a risk free alternative to smoking. Though it may reduce exposure to certain toxins compared with combustible cigarettes, evidence increasingly shows that it harms respiratory and cardiovascular systems, carries addiction risks, and may introduce novel toxic exposures.
Quitting vaping is challenging but achievable. The most effective path combines behavioral support with pharmacotherapy (especially NRT, varenicline, or other medications where available). Digital tools and gradual reduction strategies may help, especially in youth populations.