Vaping and E-Cigarettes: A Dangerous Experiment on the Health of Teens and Women

Dr. Praveen Ravishankaran

Consultant Robotic Surgical Oncologist (Lap, Robotic and HIPEC Surgery)

In-Charge, Robotic Surgery Program, GKNM Hospital

Arjun Cancer Centre and Pain Clinic (OPD Services Only)

Founder – Beacon of Hope Cancer Foundation

Introduction: The Myth of “Safe Smoking”

Vaping is frequently presented as a safe, cutting-edge, and harmless alternative to traditional smoking. With sleek devices, enticing fruity flavours, and aggressive social-media campaigns, vaping has been made especially appealing to teenagers and young women. This trend has unfortunately resulted in a new generation developing nicotine addiction.

From a medical and oncological perspective, this development is extremely alarming.

As a Consultant Robotic Surgical Oncologist, I often encounter young patients and their anxious families who are under the misconception that vaping is harmless. However, the reality sets in only when symptoms, addiction, or lasting health effects become apparent. Scientifically, vaping is not safe, it is not free of risks, and it is certainly not harmless.

This article aims to clarify the actual effects of vaping on the body, with a particular focus on teenagers and women, who are particularly susceptible to its detrimental impacts.

What Is Vaping?

Vaping refers to the act of inhaling an aerosol that is produced by an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or similar device. This aerosol is often incorrectly described as “vapour.”

In truth, it is a chemical aerosol containing several substances, including:

Nicotine (often in very high concentrations)
Ultrafine particles
Volatile organic compounds
Heavy metals such as nickel, lead, and chromium
Flavouring chemicals that are linked to lung injury

Many users, especially teenagers, are unaware that they are ingesting nicotine while vaping.

Why Teens Are Especially Vulnerable to Vaping

1. The Developing Brain and Nicotine Addiction

The human brain keeps developing until the mid-twenties. Exposure to nicotine during adolescence can:

Alter brain circuitry
Impair attention and memory
Increase anxiety and depression
Create long-term addiction pathways

Teen brains become addicted faster and with greater intensity compared to adults.

2. Gateway to Smoking and Substance Use

Multiple studies have demonstrated that teenagers who vape are:

More likely to take up cigarette smoking
More likely to use alcohol and other substances

Vaping does not serve as an exit from smoking; rather, it is often the entry point.

3. Lung Damage at a Young Age

Vaping can cause:

Airway inflammation
Reduced lung growth
Increased asthma and bronchitis
Greater vulnerability to infections

Since teenage lungs are still in development, any damage is more severe and can be irreversible.

Vaping and Women: Unique and Underestimated Risks

1. Hormonal and Reproductive Effects

Nicotine impacts:

Estrogen regulation
Ovulation
Fertility

Among women, vaping has been associated with:

Menstrual irregularities
Reduced fertility
Increased complications during pregnancy

2. Pregnancy and Foetal Harm

Vaping during pregnancy is unsafe. Nicotine exposure increases the risks of:

Low birth weight
Preterm delivery
Impaired brain development
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

There is no “safe nicotine product” for use during pregnancy.

3. Increased Cancer Susceptibility

Women are biologically more susceptible to:

DNA damage from toxins
Hormonal modulation of cancer pathways

Vape aerosols contain carcinogenic substances that:

Damage DNA
Promote chronic inflammation
Disrupt immune surveillance

Although the long-term cancer risks of vaping are still being studied, early molecular data is extremely concerning.

What Exactly Is Inside Vape Aerosol?

Regardless of marketing claims, vape aerosol is not water vapour. It contains:

Nicotine salts (which are highly addictive)
Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde
Diacetyl (associated with “popcorn lung”)
Heavy metals from heating coils
Ultrafine particles that penetrate deep into the lungs

Continued exposure results in chronic inflammation and injury to cells.

Vaping, Inflammation, and Immune Suppression

From a cancer biology perspective, vaping:

Causes ongoing airway inflammation
Impairs immune cell function
Weakens the lungs’ local immune defences

This environment is conducive to:

Infections
Tissue damage
Genetic mutations
Malignant transformation over time

In oncology, chronic inflammation is never benign.

Vaping and Cancer: What We Know So Far

Although vaping is a relatively recent phenomenon, early evidence has shown:

Breaks in DNA strands in exposed cells
Suppression of DNA repair mechanisms
Mutations similar to those caused by smoking

Cancer does not develop overnight—it takes years of genetic injury to manifest. Vaping is establishing the foundation for future diseases.

The absence of immediate cancer cases does not indicate safety; it indicates delayed consequences.

Common Myths About Vaping

“Vaping is safer than smoking.” Less harmful does not mean safe.
“It’s just flavour and water vapour.” This statement is medically inaccurate.
“I don’t vape every day.” Even occasional use can cause addiction and harm.
“Everyone is doing it.” Widespread behaviour does not guarantee safety.

The Social Media Trap: Why Teens and Women Are Targeted

Vape marketing strategies intentionally:

Use bright colours and sweet flavours
Target body image and promise stress relief
Normalise use through social media influencers

This is not by accident—it is a calculated approach designed to foster addiction.

When Should Parents and Women Seek Medical Advice?

Seek professional guidance early if:

A teenager is vaping or experimenting
Symptoms such as cough, breathlessness, or anxiety are present
There is difficulty quitting vaping
Pregnancy is being planned or is ongoing
There are concerns about long-term cancer risks

Early counselling can help prevent a lifelong addiction.

Public Education Through The Wellness Oracle

To combat misinformation, I run a health education channel on YouTube called The Wellness Oracle, where I use:

Simple experiments
Visual demonstrations
Movie scenes and analogies

These tools help me explain how vaping affects the lungs, immunity, hormones, and genes—especially to young minds and families.

Consultation Details

GKNM Hospital: Monday to Saturday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Consultant Robotic Surgical Oncologist (Lap, Robotic and HIPEC Surgeon)

In-Charge, Robotic Surgery Program

Arjun Cancer Centre and Pain Clinic: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Call to Action

If you, your child, or a loved one is vaping—or even considering it—please book a consultation as early as possible. Prevention is far easier than reversal.

About Dr. Praveen Ravishankaran

Dr. Praveen Ravishankaran is a Consultant Robotic Surgical Oncologist who specialises in:

Cancers related to tobacco and vaping
Robotic and minimally invasive cancer surgery
HIPEC Surgery
Cancer prevention and public health education

He is actively associated with GKNM Hospital, Arjun Cancer Centre, and health education initiatives through The Wellness Oracle.

Websites and Educational Resources

 https://www.drpraveenroboticsurgeon.com
 https://www.beaconofhopecancerfoundation.com
 YouTube: The Wellness Oracle

Medical References (For Authenticity and SEO Authority)

World Health Organization (WHO). Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). E-cigarettes and youth.
National Academies of Sciences. Health effects of e-cigarettes.
Gotts JE et al. What are the respiratory effects of e-cigarettes? BMJ.
Chun LF et al. Pulmonary toxicity of e-cigarettes. Archives of Toxicology.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Vaping and pregnancy.

Final Thought

Vaping is not a harmless trend; it is a public health experiment with young lives at risk.

Protect teenagers.

Protect women.

Protect future generations.

Say no to vaping. Say yes to informed choices.

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