If you vape or are thinking about switching from smoking, it’s natural to wonder whether vaping is actually bad for you. You might hear mixed opinions from friends, online sources or even health professionals, which can make it hard to know what to believe.
In this guide, we’ll break down what’s currently known about vaping, the potential risks, how it compares to smoking, and what you can do to vape more responsibly.
Is vaping harmful?
Yes, vaping is not risk-free. Inhaling any substance into your lungs carries some level of health concern. However, the degree of harm depends on what you’re comparing it to. If you’re switching from cigarettes to vaping, it’s widely accepted that vaping is much less harmful than smoking.
That said, vaping is still relatively new, and long-term studies are ongoing. Most of what we know so far relates to short- and medium-term effects.
What are the risks of vaping?
Here are the main concerns associated with vaping:
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Nicotine addiction – Most vape liquids contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can raise heart rate or blood pressure
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Dry mouth or throat – Vapour can reduce saliva, which might lead to discomfort or oral health issues
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Coughing or chest tightness – Some people experience mild respiratory irritation
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Unknown long-term effects – Vaping hasn’t been around long enough for full long-term studies
These effects vary by individual. Some people report no issues at all, while others find vaping affects their breathing, sleep or energy levels.
Is vaping safer than smoking?
Yes. Public health organisations in the UK, including the NHS and Public Health England, have stated that vaping is significantly less harmful than smoking tobacco. Smoking involves burning, which produces tar, carbon monoxide and over 70 cancer-causing chemicals.
Vaping avoids combustion. The vapour produced contains far fewer toxic substances, and at lower levels. This makes it a useful harm-reduction tool for adults who want to stop smoking.
If you’ve switched to a refillable pod system like the Lost Mary BM6000, it means you’re using a TPD-compliant device, which follows UK safety standards for nicotine content and ingredient regulation.
What’s in vape liquid?
Most e-liquids contain:
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Propylene glycol (PG)
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Vegetable glycerine (VG)
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Flavourings
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Nicotine (optional)
These ingredients are legal and regulated for inhalation in the UK, but inhaling them still isn’t the same as breathing clean air. That’s why vapes are considered less harmful than cigarettes — not harmless overall.
Is nicotine the main problem?
Nicotine is not the chemical that causes cancer in cigarettes, but it’s still a stimulant. It can affect your sleep, mood, digestion and blood pressure. It’s also highly addictive, which means it’s easy to become reliant on vaping.
For people trying to reduce or quit nicotine, gradually lowering the strength or switching to nicotine-free options is a common strategy.
What if you don’t smoke?
If you’ve never smoked, it’s not advised to start vaping. Using nicotine recreationally can build dependence and may lead to other habits over time. Vaping is designed as a tool for adults looking to stop smoking, not something to pick up casually.
Is vaping bad for your lungs?
There is no clear evidence that vaping causes major lung damage in healthy adults, but it can irritate the lungs in some people. If you notice persistent coughing, chest tightness or shortness of breath, it’s worth taking a break and speaking to a doctor.
So far, serious lung injuries linked to vaping have mostly involved unregulated products or black market vape liquids — not legal, TPD-compliant products sold in the UK.
Can you vape safely?
There is no such thing as completely safe vaping, but you can reduce risks by:
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Using regulated, legal products from trusted retailers
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Choosing lower nicotine strengths if you’re trying to reduce your intake
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Taking breaks between puffs instead of chain vaping
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Drinking water regularly to reduce dryness
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Avoiding home-mixed or imported liquids
Want more health advice?
Our health guides cover side effects, quitting nicotine, sleep, breathing, and more — all written for UK vapers who want honest, no-nonsense information.
Final thoughts
Vaping isn’t harmless, but it’s far less harmful than smoking. If you’re using it as a stop-smoking tool, you’re already reducing your risk by avoiding the most damaging parts of tobacco use. Just be mindful of how much you vape, how strong your liquid is, and how you feel physically and mentally.
If you’re thinking about switching devices or reducing nicotine, the Lost Mary BM6000 collection offers refillable pod systems that let you control your intake and explore a wide range of flavours.
For a comparison that may help you make an informed switch, check is vaping better than smoking.
You can also learn about potential long-term effects in what does vaping do to your lungs.