A teenager can develop addiction in a few weeks – pulmonologist warns about vape risks

From 2020 to 2024, sales of vapes and e-cigarettes, including tobacco heating systems, in Russia increased almost 9 times—from 28 million to 245 million units. This is evidenced by a study conducted last year by the monitoring company BusinesStat. According to Rosstat (the Russian Federal State Statistics Service), in 2024, the number of Russians who use electronic devices increased by 19.8% (852,000 people) and reached 5 million 300 thousand people, meaning every fifth smoker over 15 years old.

The consequences of vaping for the body were explained to our colleagues from 93.RU by pulmonologist Diana Kochneva from the multidisciplinary medical center CL DOCTOR.

Diana Yuryevna, people switched to vapes from cigarettes, largely buying into the advertising that they are safe for the lungs. But is that true?

Claims about «safety for the lungs» are a marketing myth. Although vape aerosol does not contain the tars formed from burning tobacco, its contents are still a foreign chemical cocktail that enters the lungs.

The main dangers of e-cigarettes for the lungs:

Main components (propylene glycol and glycerin) form an aerosol when heated, which irritates the mucous membrane of the bronchi and bronchioles, causing chronic inflammation and cough.

Vaping can cause acute, severe lung damage (EVALI disease), often associated with impurities, such as vitamin E acetate in illegal or modified liquids. This serious condition may even require artificial lung ventilation (ALV).

Some studies show that components of vape aerosol disrupt the function of macrophages—key immune cells in the lungs, making the body more vulnerable to infections.

What toxic compounds contained in vapes are poison for our body?

Many toxic and harmful substances have been found in vape aerosol, many of which are formed precisely during the heating process:

Acrolein—a strong irritant that can irreversibly damage the lungs and contribute to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Formaldehyde—a known carcinogen. Its concentration can increase with strong overheating of the coil.

Diacetyl—a flavoring linked to «popcorn lung disease.»

Heavy metals: nickel, tin, chromium, manganese, lead, zinc. They can be released from the heating elements (coils) of the device itself. Inhaling toxic metals is dangerous for the lungs, kidneys, and nervous system.

Nicotine—a poison that causes strong addiction, increased blood pressure, and accelerated heart rate. In liquids, natural nicotine is replaced by synthetic (salt nicotine). The chemical substitutes contain nicotine sulfate. Previously, this substance was used in the agricultural industry as a pesticide to combat plant pests and diseases. However, its use was soon banned due to high toxicity. In the aerosol, salt nicotine is quickly absorbed into the blood and assimilated by the body, and is eliminated more slowly than tobacco nicotine. This means that with each subsequent puff, the smoker receives an even larger dose of highly toxic nicotine, and addiction in this case forms much faster.

«Popcorn lung disease,» or scientifically, obliterative bronchiolitis. What is this disease? Can it be directly linked to vaping?

Obliterative bronchiolitis (OB) is an irreversible lung disease in which inflammation and scarring of the smallest airways—bronchioles—occurs, leading to progressive impairment of respiratory function.

OB was first described in workers at popcorn factories who inhaled large amounts of the flavoring diacetyl. Yes, «popcorn lung disease» is directly linked to vaping, since diacetyl is often used in e-cigarette liquids, especially with buttery, caramel, or dessert flavors. Inhaling this substance, even in small concentrations, can cause severe damage to bronchioles.

The name «popcorn lung disease» comes from the characteristic sound of popping popcorn that a doctor hears when auscultating the lungs.

Symptoms: malaise, weakness, cough, shortness of breath, wheezing and crackles in the chest, chest pain. Treatment is long and complex.

Why are vapes especially dangerous for teenagers and children to use?

The danger of vaping for teenagers is many times higher for three reasons:

1. Nicotine disrupts the development of the prefrontal cortex of the brain (responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and attention), which continues until age 25. This can lead to long-term cognitive problems. Nicotine also depresses the child«s central nervous system, leading to apathy, reduced performance, concentration, memory, adaptation, and disrupted sleep patterns.

2. The teenage brain forms a physical dependence on nicotine much faster. Thanks to salt nicotine in popular vapes, a teenager can develop addiction in a few weeks, comparable to that of a long-term smoker.

3. Flavors and the «cool» image of vaping mask the danger and serve as a gateway to nicotine addiction for those who would never have started smoking regular cigarettes.

How do vape liquids affect a child«s body?

Aromatic ones cause severe allergic reactions. Nicotine-containing ones harm the CNS, endocrine system (disrupting the production of growth and development hormones), reproductive system (lowering testosterone levels), and the entire body as a whole.

Cannabinoids cause acute intoxication. Even brief cannabinoid intoxication in an adult can cause acute psychosis (depression of consciousness, delirium, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, and even actions). Cannabinoids are directly linked to the occurrence of a number of mental illnesses, primarily schizophrenia.

It«s terrifying to imagine the irreparable harm these substances can cause to a child and teenager.

If parents notice that a child is vaping, it is necessary to urgently consult a specialist.

Who is strictly contraindicated from using vapes?

Children and teenagers under 18 years old. Pregnant and breastfeeding women, because nicotine is toxic to the fetus and infant. People with a non-smoking status: vapes should not be a means of «entertainment.» Individuals with chronic lung diseases: COPD, asthma (vaping can provoke exacerbation).

Also, vapes should not be used by people with cardiovascular diseases: hypertension, after a heart attack or stroke, since nicotine increases the load on the heart.

Besides the lungs, other organs suffer. For example, how are they dangerous for the endocrine and reproductive systems?

The main culprit of systemic harm is nicotine and, to a lesser extent, other toxins:

Endocrine system: nicotine affects blood glucose levels, increases insulin resistance, and can worsen or provoke the development of type 2 diabetes. It also affects the function of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands.

Reproductive system: in men, nicotine worsens sperm quality and mobility, lowers testosterone levels, and is a proven risk factor for erectile dysfunction due to vasoconstriction. In women, fertility worsens, and the risk of menstrual cycle disorders and complications during pregnancy increases.

Are there symptoms that indicate vape is already having a negative impact on the body?

Yes, you may notice the following early signs:

Dry mouth, increased salivation (effect of toxic metals). Chronic dry or wet cough, shortness of breath during exertion, constant sensation of throat irritation.

Cardiovascular system: rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) at rest or after vaping, increased blood pressure.

Nervous system: increased irritability, anxiety, sleep problems. This is related to the action of nicotine and withdrawal.

One can speak of addiction if a person cannot start the day without a vape, panics if the device runs out of battery, and the frequency of e-cigarette use increases.

Electronic devices or traditional cigarettes: which is more dangerous?

Comparing them is like choosing between two poisons. Cigarettes kill slowly and predictably through combustion products (tars, carbon monoxide), causing cancer and COPD. Their long-term harm is catastrophic and proven over decades.

Vapes kill in two ways:

1. Acute damage (EVALI, OB). These are potentially fatal, acute conditions that do not occur with cigarette smoking.

2. Nicotine addiction: extremely high dose of nicotine and risk of systemic vascular harm.

None of these products is safe. For a non-smoker, vapes are more dangerous, as they introduce them to nicotine addiction. For a long-term smoker, a complete switch to vapes may reduce the risk of lung cancer, but increases the risks of acute lung damage and cardiovascular problems.

By analogy with cigarettes—is passive vaping also dangerous?

Certainly, passive exposure to vape aerosol (passive vaping) is dangerous, although differently than passive smoking. Aerosol contains nicotine, which settles on surfaces («thirdhand smoke») and is inhaled by others, especially children. The liquids contain formaldehyde, acrolein, and heavy metals, which are inhaled by others.

Passive vaping can provoke asthma and bronchitis in children and harm their developing brains. It is strictly forbidden to use vapes in the presence of children, pregnant women, and people with chronic lung diseases.

What needs to be done to quit smoking?

For successful smoking cessation (cigarettes or vapes), evidence-based medicine should be used:

1. Consultation with a pulmonologist, who will develop an individual plan.

2. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT): patches, gum, inhalers. They provide pure, dosed nicotine without the toxins of aerosol and smoke.

3. Medication therapy—drugs that reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.