

It's important to know the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that sometimes e-cigarette products are changed or modified and can have possibly harmful or illegal substances from unknown sources. Some products are also labeled incorrectly. It's also hard to know exactly what chemicals are in an e-cigarette because most products do not list all of the harmful or potentially harmful substances contained in them. The FDA does not currently require testing of all the substances in e-cigarettes to ensure they are safe. Formaldehyde: This is a cancer-causing substance that may form if e-liquid overheats or not enough liquid is reaching the heating element (known as a “dry-puff”).Studies have shown that some flavors contain different levels of a chemical called diacetyl that has been linked to a serious lung disease called bronchiolitis obliterans. Flavoring chemicals: Some flavorings are more toxic than others.Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): At certain levels, VOCs can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches and nausea, and can damage the liver, kidney and nervous system.In addition, e-cigarettes and e-cigarette vapor may contain the chemicals or substances listed below. These are substances used to produce stage or theatrical fog which have been found to increase lung and airway irritation after concentrated exposure. If used during pregnancy, nicotine may also cause premature births and low birthweight babies.īesides nicotine, e-cigarettes and e-cigarette vapor typically contain propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerin.

There is evidence that nicotine harms the brain development of teenagers. The aerosol from an e-cigarette can contain nicotine and other substances that are addictive and can cause lung disease, heart disease, and cancer.Īgain, it is important to know that most e-cigarettes contain nicotine. What is in the aerosol ("vapor") of an e-cigarette?Īlthough the term “vapor” may sound harmless, the aerosol that comes out of an e-cigarette is not water vapor and can be harmful. There are some e-cigarette brands that claim to be nicotine-free but have been found to contain nicotine. However, nicotine levels are not the same in all types of e-cigarettes, and sometimes product labels do not list the true nicotine content. The e-liquid in most e-cigarettes contains nicotine, the same addictive drug that is in regular cigarettes, cigars, hookah, and other tobacco products. E-cigarette users inhale this into their lungs. How do e-cigarettes work?Į-cigarettes heat a liquid – called e-liquid or e-juice – to turn it into an aerosol (sometimes called a "vapor"). But in fact, e-cigarettes produce an aerosol made up of tiny particles, which is different from a vapor. The use of e-cigarettes is often referred to as “vaping” because many people believe e-cigarettes create a vapor, which is then inhaled. Because of this, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies them as "tobacco products." What is vaping? They can look like cigarettes, cigars, pipes, pens, USB flash drives, or may be in other forms.Į-cigarettes include a battery that turns the device on, a heating element that heats the e-liquid and turns it into an aerosol of tiny particles (sometimes called a “vapor”), a cartridge or tank that holds the e-liquid, and a mouthpiece or opening used to inhale the aerosol.Į-cigarettes do not contain tobacco, but many of them contain nicotine, which comes from tobacco. What are e-cigarettes?Į-cigarettes are known by many different names, including e-cigs, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), alternative nicotine delivery systems (ANDS), e-hookahs, mods, vape pens, vaporizers, vapes, and tank systems.Į-cigarettes are available in many shapes and sizes. Here we address some of the common questions people ask about e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes are known by many different names, and sometimes people find it hard to understand what is really known about these devices.
