Tobacco products like vapes and nicotine pouches are likely less harmful than cigarettes. However, these products can harm your health and make it more difficult to successfully complete your missions. The nicotine and other ingredients in these products mean people who don’t smoke cigarettes should not use them, and people who are using them to quit smoking should stop using them as soon as possible.

Nicotine is Addictive

Most vapes, smokeless tobacco and nicotine pouches contain nicotine. Nicotine is the chemical that makes cigarettes addictive. The nicotine in these products makes them hard to quit.

Nicotine is Harmful to Developing Brains

Young people have a higher risk of becoming addicted to nicotine than older people because their brains are still developing. Nicotine can reprogram parts of your brain, disrupting normal brain development.

Nicotine is Toxic to Fetuses and Dangerous to Pregnant Women

If you are pregnant, nicotine from your body crosses the placenta to your baby. It can lead to harmful effects like premature labor, low birth weight, respiratory failure and even sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Vapes and Smokeless Tobacco Contain Potentially Harmful Substances

In addition to nicotine, vapes contain harmful substances like cancer causing chemicals, heavy metals like nickel or tin and flavorings like diacetyl, a chemical linked to serious lung disease. Smokeless tobacco also contains cancer causing chemicals, heavy metals and polonium-210, a radioactive ingredient found in fertilizer.

Are Nicotine Patches and Gum Safe?

Many people find nicotine patches and gums helpful when quitting tobacco. These products have been available for over 30 years and are generally considered safe for adults quitting smoking.

If you’re ready to maximize your mission readiness by letting go of nicotine, there are a lot of resources available to help you quit tobacco. You can start by speaking with your healthcare provider or by checking out the tools and resources here.