Vaping Facts and Resources

e cig examples

What is vaping?

Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling the aerosol (often called vapor) produced by an e-cigarette or similar battery-powered device. They are also known as e-cigs, vape pens, e-hookahs, e-pipes, tanks, mods, vapes, electronic nicotine delivery systems, or ENDS, and more. Some people refer to vaping devices by their brand name such as Puff Bar, fruyt STIK, JUUL, BO, myblu, Smok, and Suorin.

What are the different types of e-cigarettes?

E-cigarettes come in many different sizes, types and colors. Some e-cigarettes are made to look like regular cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Some resemble pens, small electronic devices such as USB sticks, and other everyday items. The products that are designed to resemble small electronic devices are often compact and allow for discreet carrying and use – at home, in school hallways and bathrooms, and even in classrooms.

What is in e-cigarettes?

E-cigarettes contain pre-filled pods or e-liquids/e-juices the user adds to the device. E-liquids generally consist of nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerin, flavorings, and other chemicals. Many of these pods and e-liquids come in fruit and candy flavors that appeal to youth.

E-cigarettes produce an aerosol, which users inhale from the device and exhale. The aerosol can contain harmful and potentially harmful substances, including:

  • Nicotine
  • Ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs
  • Flavoring such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious lung disease
  • Volatile organic compounds
  • Cancer-causing chemicals
  • Heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead

Are e-cigarettes safe?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, e-cigarettes are not safe for youth, young adults, pregnant women, or adults who do not currently use tobacco products. E-cigarettes have not been approved by the FDA as a smoking cessation device and additional research is needed to help understand long-term health effects of e-cigarette use.

What are the other dangers of vaping?

In addition to nicotine, e-cigarettes contain harmful and potentially harmful chemicals such as ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs; flavoring such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious lung disease; volatile organic compounds such as benzene, which is found in car exhaust; and heavy metals, such as nickel, tin, and lead.

Due to nicotine content, e-liquids are dangerous to small children and pets. The Massachusetts Attorney General requires that nicotine liquid and gel be sold in appropriate child-resistant packaging.

In addition to chemical contents, defective e-cigarette batteries have caused fires and explosions, some of which have resulted in serious injuries.

Is being around secondhand vape safe?

No. According to the Surgeon General, the aerosol from e-cigarettes is not harmless. It can contain harmful and potentially harmful chemicals, including nicotine; ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs; flavoring such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious lung disease; volatile organic compounds such as benzene, which is found in car exhaust; and heavy metals, such as nickel, tin, and lead.

Scientists are still working to more fully understand the health effects and harmful doses of e-cigarette contents when they are heated and turned into an aerosol, both for users who inhale from a device and for those who are exposed to the aerosol secondhand.

Can e-cigarettes be used to vape other substances?

Yes. E-cigarettes and other vaping devices can be used to vape other substances, such as marijuana. Open systems require the user to add the e-juice, which can be a substance other than nicotine. Closed systems are generally not refillable because they use pre-filled pods. However, they can also be altered to vape substances other than nicotine.

Where are e-cigarettes sold and how are youth getting them?

Until recently, e-cigarettes of all flavors and nicotine content levels could be sold in many places including convenience stores, corner stores, gas stations, vape shops, and online. As of November 27, 2019, Massachusetts implemented a law that restricts where flavored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes can be sold. The sale of all flavored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, in Massachusetts is restricted to adult-only (age 21+) smoking bars.  This also includes menthol. The sale of unflavored e-cigarettes with a nicotine content over 35 mg/mL is restricted to adult-only tobacco retail stores or smoking bars. Only unflavored e-cigarettes with a nicotine content of 35 mg/mL or less can still be sold in convenience stores, gas stations, liquor stores and other similar businesses, as well as online.

Just like other tobacco and nicotine products, youth may get e-cigarettes from friends who vape or from local or online stores that do not abide by Massachusetts’ restrictions on sales. If you wish to report one of these sales violations, call 1-800-992-1895 or contact your local Board of Health. 

Detailed information about the ban and a list of frequently asked questions are available on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts website. 

Additional Resources