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Breaking free: Empowering youth to overcome vaping and nicotine addiction

BDJ Student volume 32, pages 110–111 (2025)Cite this article

A Correction to this article was published on 29 September 2025

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While the long-term effects of vaping are still being studied, evidence suggests that the chemicals found in vape liquids may pose significant health risks. Most vape liquids contain nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, and various flavouring agents.2 When heated, these substances form an aerosol mist which can be inhaled into the lungs for nicotine delivery.

At high temperatures, propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine breaks down into formaldehyde and other carcinogenic aldehydes. These carcinogens increases the risk of lung damage and may contribute to respiratory illnesses and cardiovascular disease.2,3,4 What's more, nicotine exposure during adolescence can interfere with brain development, potentially leading to cognitive impairments, reduced attention span, and alterations in working memory.5 Studies have also shown that nicotine can reduce prefrontal cortex activation, which plays a crucial role in decision-making and impulse control.5

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References

  1. NHS England. Almost 1 in 10 secondary school pupils currently vape, new NHS survey shows. 2024. Online information available at https://www.england.nhs.uk/2024/10/almost-1-in-10-secondary-school-pupils-currently-vape-new-nhs-survey-shows/ (accessed February 2025).

  2. lantz S A, Bareham D W. E-Cigarettes: Use, effects on smoking, risks, and policy implications. Annu Rev Public Health 2018; 39: 215-235.

  3. Dinardo P, Rome E S. Vaping: The new wave of nicotine addiction. Cleve Clin J Med 2019; 86: 789-798.

  4. National Institutes of Health. NIH-funded studies show damaging effects of vaping, smoking on blood vessels. 2022. Online information available at https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-funded-studies-show-damaging-effects-vaping-smoking-blood-vessels (accessed February 2025).

  5. England L J, Bunnell R E, Pechacek T F, Tong V T, McAfee T A. Nicotine and the developing human. Am J Prev Med 2015; 49: 286-293.

  6. Winburn C, Ofei-Dodoo S. Nicotine dependence from electronic cigarettes use and depressive symptoms among adolescents. Kans J Med 2023; 16: 1-4.

  7. Chadi N, Li G, Cerda N, Weitzman E R. Depressive symptoms and suicidality in adolescents using e-cigarettes and marijuana. J Addict Med 2019; 13: 362-365.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiff Dental School, Cardiff, United Kingdom

    Jing Xin Yuan

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  1. Jing Xin Yuan
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Correspondence to Jing Xin Yuan.

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The original online version of this article was revised.

When this article was originally published online, the author's name - Jing Xin Yuan - was incorrect. This has been corrected.

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Yuan, J. Breaking free: Empowering youth to overcome vaping and nicotine addiction. BDJ Student 32, 110–111 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41406-025-1534-8

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