What you might not know about e-cigarettes

Think e-cigarettes are better for you than other tobacco products? You may want to think again.

Although it is true that vapor from an e-cigarette does not contain the toxins and tar that tobacco smoke contains, it does contain nicotine, one of the most addictive known substances and one that’s harmful to your health, too. Here’s why you should think twice before trying e-cigarettes.

E-cigs won’t help you quit

Despite what you might have heard, e-cigarettes are addictive because they contain nicotine, just like other tobacco products.

Nicotine exposure can cause lasting harm to the brain and promote sustained use.

E-cigarettes are not safe during pregnancy

E-cigarettes and other electronic smoking products, like vapes, contain nicotine, which can cause birth defects and long-term health consequences for the developing brain and body of an unborn child.

They’re more appealing to non-smokers

One of the biggest fears with e-cigarettes is that their flavorings will attract non-smokers, particularly teenagers, and lead to a lifelong nicotine addiction. The younger a person is when they are exposed to nicotine, the harder it is for them to quit later in life.

The bottom line is it’s better not to smoke at all. If you’re a smoker trying to quit, be sure to seek out support to help you along the way. See our list of resources below. And if you’re a non-smoker, remember, that first e-cigarette could lead to a lifetime of trying to quit.