Vaping: A More Hazardous Choice for Your Health
Electronic cigarettes, or vapes, have been shown to be more dangerous to health than conventional tobacco products. In an interview, pulmonologist Khrystyna Volnytska detailed the harm caused by vaping, focusing on their chemical composition, their mechanisms of impact on the body, their popularity among youth, and the resulting medical consequences. This comes amid a global debate on regulating e-cigarettes, which are often marketed as a safer alternative.
An e-cigarette consists of a battery, a heating element, and a reservoir for liquid. The vaping liquid may contain:
- propylene glycol
- glycerin
- flavorings
- nicotine
However, the vape mixture is more hazardous, as it can also contain tocopherol, acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, crolein, nickel, tin, lead, and benzoles, some of which have carcinogenic effects. Specifically, tocopherol, acetaldehyde, and formaldehyde are capable of causing cancer, while crolein can lead to irreversible lung damage.
Vaping's Popularity Among the Young
Research from 2024-2025 indicates that 40% of school-age youth between 13 and 15 years old have already tried electronic cigarettes, and among children aged 15-16, 50% have had at least one experience with vaping. This demonstrates the high level of popularity vaping has achieved among young people. Concurrent statistics show that lung cancer is observed 23% more frequently in smokers than in non-smokers, and strokes and heart attacks also occur more often in smokers.
At the Center for Lung Health in the Lviv region, 30% of patients with severe lung lesions continue to smoke until their final days, underscoring the gravity of the problem. Khrystyna Volnytska, a pulmonologist with over 16 years of experience, noted that EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury) is an official medical diagnosis. The primary mechanisms of lung damage from vaping include chemical burns to the alveoli and the accumulation of fat-soluble oils, leading to lipoid pneumonia. The essential oils in the liquid do not dissolve in the airways and can 'clog' the bronchi, adding further health risks.
“Any smoking—whether traditional cigarettes or electronic ones—is harmful,” Volnytska emphasized.
She also noted that electronic cigarettes create a misleading sense of safety, as the vaping habit is more dangerous than smoking cigarettes. “Passive vapers are also at risk of disease,” the expert added. Khrystyna Volnytska stressed that smoking does not prevent acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) nor does it 'kill' viruses in the airways; in fact, it only increases the risk of infections and complications. “Any flavored liquids are harmful,” she concluded, urging caution and informed choice.
This information highlights the critical importance of awareness regarding the risks associated with vaping, especially among youth who are increasingly vulnerable to its harmful effects. Given the growing popularity of electronic cigarettes, medical experts are calling for stronger regulation and consumer education. The vaping problem requires a comprehensive approach to reduce its prevalence and protect the health of the younger generation.