E-cigarettes and vaping can cause side effects that may differ from person to person. Scientific understanding of how vaping affects the lungs, heart and other bodily functions is still being uncovered.
Side effects and safety concerns are important to be aware of when opting to vape as a way to abstain from smoking cigarettes when all other quitting tools have failed. People who vape should also have a plan to reduce and quit vaping in the long term.
Long-term use and dual-use (smoking and vaping concurrently) should be avoided.
Each individual reacts differently to inhaling aerosolised vape liquid. Some people may not experience any noticeable side effects, but that does not mean vaping is not adversely affecting the body’s physiological processes. Below are some known side effects from vaping;
Coughing is a common side effect for new vapers, there are a number of potential reasons this occurs. For most people coughing subsides after the body adapts to inhaling aerosolised e-liquid. However, for others coughing can persist.
The lungs are not designed to inhale novel and foreign substances like vape liquid or cigarette smoke. Ingredients in vape liquid such as propylene glycol (PG) and some flavourings can aggravate the lungs resulting in coughing.
Poor hydration and vape device maintenance can also contribute to coughing. If vaping causes prolonged coughing, speak with your GP about alternatives.
Nicotine and other ingredients inhaled from e-cigarettes can irritate and damage the membranes in the mouth and throat. This can result in tingling, scratchy or painful sensations, redness or swelling.
Inflammation from vape ingredients and small particulates released from vape devices may cause long-term damage. PG is one of the key ingredients in vape liquid and for many people is the main culprit in causing throat irritation. Some people can have allergies to PG. Those who get minor irritation find that lowering the PG ratio in e-liquid may help reduce overall mouth or throat discomfort from vaping.
One of the most common side effects of vaping is headaches. Headaches may be caused by ingredients in e-liquid such as PG which is hygroscopic meaning it attracts water and is dehydrating to the body, which can result in headaches.
Nicotine is another cause of vaping-related headaches. Nicotine constricts blood vessels causing them to narrow. This can cause headaches in some people. Minimising the nicotine level in e-liquid and staying hydrated may mitigate headaches related to vaping.
Nausea is a side effect associated with vaping as well as other nicotine replacement therapies. Nicotine interacts with areas in the brain and receptors in the stomach that can trigger sensations of nausea and potentially trigger vomiting.
Although nicotine is well-known to make some people feel nauseous, other vape ingredients, including certain flavours, can cause nausea.
Each person’s body is unique and may react to vaping differently. Other side effects that can be associated with vaping include:
It is important to notify your doctor if you experience side effects from vaping and consider alternatives that may support you to continue a tobacco-free lifestyle.
Many of the ingredients in vaping have not been studied for their safety and unregulated vapes have been shown to contain dangerous chemicals in them such as heavy metals, pesticides and disinfectants. However, all the products at Help Me Stop are TGA TGO 110 standard, which means that they comply with Australiaan regulations.
Similar to smoking, vaping is believed to have negative effects on the respiratory and cardiac system – which may increase the risk of lung and heart-related health problems. There are many unknowns about vaping and continued research is required on links between vaping and heart conditions.
Furthermore, due to the diversity of vape devices and e-liquids available in the legal and illicit markets, understanding the safety of these products and their myriad of ingredients is complex, to say the least.
Just like smoking, vaping can have harmful or deleterious side effects on your health. It is important to be aware of possible side effects of e-cigarette use and report them to your regular health practitioner for monitoring.
Only smokers who have failed to quit using other approved therapies (such as nicotine patches and gum) should consider vaping as a tool to help them quit smoking. People who vape should also have a plan to reduce and quit vaping in the long term.
Discuss with your GP or consult with the experienced team at Help Me Stop about whether e-cigarettes may be appropriate for you to work towards your goals of sustained abstinence from smoking tobacco products.
Review and monitoring by your regular GP is advised along your smoking cessation journey.
By Jessica Kindynis
DISCLAIMER: There are a number of ways to quit smoking. We have a range of tools that may help with smoking cessation such as nicotine patches, gums and vaping products. Vaping products, used as second-line tools may be useful for those who have not successfully quit smoking using traditional methods.
It’s important to acknowledge there’s limited available evidence on the efficacy, safety or long-term health effects of nicotine vaping products. There are potential side effects associated with vaping. Long-term vaping and dual-use (smoking and vaping concurrently) is not recommended and should be avoided. Regular review and monitoring by your regular GP is advised along your smoking cessation journey.
Studies on the effectiveness and safety of vaping to help people quit smoking are coming out in increasing numbers.
If you’ve tried to quit smoking before, you probably already know there’s a range of smoking cessation tools available to support you throughout your journey.
Despite the vaping laws changing in Australiaa in October 2021, illegal, non-prescription
Many of our customers have reached out to ask us a simple
First Nations Acknowledgement
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.
Nicotine is addictive, and the long term-risks of vaping are unknown. Complete abstinence from smoking and vaping is the safest for your health. Currently no nicotine vaping products have been approved by the TGA, and the safety of these products has not been determined. Long-term vaping and dual-use (smoking and vaping concurrently) must be avoided. Vaped nicotine products are only recommended for individuals that have tried but failed to quit smoking using approved first line smoking cessation therapies.Must be over 18 years old, not for use in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Regular review and monitoring by your regular GP is advised along your smoking cessation journey
ET Pharmaceuticals trading as Help Me Stop is the pharmacy marketing group for pharmacy ET Research Pty Ltd trading as Precision Pharmacy.
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