E-cigarettes were first introduced into the United States market in the early 2000s. Commonly referred to as vapes or vape pens, these products heat liquids to create vapors that can be inhaled. Some people think e-cigarettes are safe to use because they don’t burn tobacco like traditional cigarettes, but this is not true. Part of the reason people may believe e-cigarettes are safe to use is due to advertising. E-cigarette companies spent over a billion dollars in the past five years to market and promote e-cigarette products. Some of the claims made in their advertising have been false or misleading. Keep reading to learn more about these claims and to get the facts straight.

Claim: E-cigarettes Help People Quit Smoking Traditional Cigarettes

No e-cigarette product has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a smoking cessation tool. The current research on whether e-cigarettes can help people quit has found mixed results, as a recent review of scientific studies concluded there is evidence e-cigarettes can be an effective tool to help you quit smoking.

Claim: E-cigarettes are Safer to Use than Other Forms of Tobacco

This claim is misleading. The FDA has not approved any reduced risk claims for e-cigarette products. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, the chemical that keeps you addicted to tobacco. Because e-cigarettes are a relatively new product, its long-term health risks compared to other forms of tobacco are still being studied. They can also act as a gateway to trying other tobacco products, which is especially concerning for youth. By presenting e-cigarettes as safer than other forms of tobacco, these products may be more appealing to people who don’t use tobacco. They may also be more appealing to people who smoke traditional cigarettes, who may end up using e-cigarettes in addition to traditional cigarettes rather than as a replacement.

Claim: E-cigarettes are Safe to Use Because It’s Just Vapor

This claim suggests that e-cigarettes do not have any health risks because they are only water vapor. This is not true. Research shows that while e-cigarette vapor contains fewer toxic substances than traditional cigarette smoke, they still contain harmful cancer-causing chemicals including nicotine and small amounts of heavy metals like nickel, tin, and lead, as well as diacetyl, a chemical that has been linked to severe lung disease.

Claim: You Can Use E-cigarettes in Places Where You Cannot Smoke Traditional Cigarettes

This is misleading. E-cigarette use is prohibited in many places where cigarette smoking is prohibited. While the laws vary from state to state, there are currently 19 states in the U.S. that have passed smoke-free indoor air laws that apply to e-cigarettes. This prohibits vaping in restaurants, bars and places of employment. Vaping is also not permitted on aircrafts.