The Vaping Trap: Is it true that it's better than cigarettes?

Medically Reviewed by MBBS ✓ Medically Reviewed

📅 Updated: Jul 14, 2026 • ⏱ 4 min read • Editorial policy

E-cigarettes or vaping are becoming a trend in today's society, especially among young people. Introduced to the market as a "safe" alternative to traditional cigarette smoking, vaping has become the latest trap that is currently luring the young generation into a severe addiction.

Let's simply educate ourselves about the real medical risks of vaping and deadly lung diseases like EVALI, based on a discussion with Randika, a 19-year-old university student who came to see Dr. Priya due to a persistent dry cough, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing in his respiratory tract.

Doctor-patient dialogue: "Vaping is less harmful than cigarettes, right, Doctor?"

Randika (in distress): "Dr. Priya, I started vaping thinking it was safer instead of smoking cigarettes. But recently I have been having a persistent dry cough and chest pain. It's also difficult to breathe. Vaping is not as harmful as cigarettes, right, Doctor? How can I get rid of this?"

Dr. Priya (kindly explaining): "Randika, you have been fooled by a very practical lie spread by the tobacco companies. Although vapes do not contain the tar found in cigarettes, they contain many more serious toxins."

"The vapor produced when e-liquid (the liquid used for vaping) in vaping devices is heated, along with highly addictive nicotine , propylene glycol , vegetable glycerin , and artificial flavorings such as diacetyl, which is deadly to the lungs, enter the body."

Dr. Priya: "In addition, heavy metals such as nickel and lead are transported directly to the lung tissue from the heated metal coils. This is by no means a safe substitute for cigarettes."

🚨 Red Flags that require immediate medical attention

A lung injury caused by vaping is called EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury) . If you have the following symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention:

1. Sudden severe shortness of breath: Rapid breathing and severe chest pain or heaviness.
2. Bloody phlegm: Coughing up blood-tinged phlegm from the lungs.
3. High fever and rapid heart rate: Fever and rapid heart rate occur due to severe inflammation in the body.
4. Digestive system problems: Chest pain accompanied by persistent vomiting, stomach cramps, or diarrhea.
5. Severe fatigue and weight loss: Abnormally thin body and extreme lethargy for no reason.

🛠️ Action Steps to Overcome Vaping Addiction

Step 1: Stop vaping immediately to prevent further harm to your health. If you find it difficult to stop immediately, seek medical advice.
Step 2: If you have any lung-related symptoms, immediately see a Pulmonologist/General Physician for an examination.
Step Three: Use Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), such as nicotine gum or patches, as directed by your doctor to manage withdrawal symptoms.
Step Four: Seek Counseling/Behavioral Therapy to overcome addiction.
Step Five: Drink plenty of water daily. Engage in breathing exercises and physical activity to increase lung capacity.

📊 Do's & Don'ts

Do's	Don'ts
Understand that vaping is just as harmful and addictive as cigarettes.	Do not start vaping on your own without medical advice, saying you want to quit smoking cigarettes.
Remove and destroy the vaping device and e-liquid immediately from your home.	Don't be fooled into thinking that fruit or chocolate-flavored e-liquids are safe for the body (the flavorings become toxic when heated).
Make friends who don't use vaping and play sports.	When you have difficulty breathing, don't delay seeking medical attention, thinking it's just a common cold.
When you feel stressed, engage in deep breathing exercises.	Do not use vaping devices with illegal or adulterated substances (e.g., liquids containing THC) (risk of EVALI is very high).