Health experts said that vaping may be more harmful to the human body than traditional cigarette smoking [2, 3].

This assessment challenges the common perception of e-cigarettes as a safer alternative to tobacco. If these claims hold, the public health strategy for smoking cessation may require significant revision to prevent a new generation of chemical-induced illnesses.

Medical professionals, including Dr. William Li and Dr. Sood, said these risks during a segment with India Today presenter Sneha Mordani [1]. The experts said that the chemicals found in e-cigarette vapor are believed to cause greater DNA damage than those found in tobacco smoke [2, 3].

Traditional cigarettes are known to be dangerous, but the specific composition of vaping liquids introduces different risks. The experts said that the vaporized chemicals can interact with the body in ways that may accelerate cellular damage [2]. This process can lead to long-term health complications that differ from those typically associated with combustible tobacco.

While many users switch to vaping to avoid the tar and carbon monoxide of cigarettes, the research suggests the trade-off may not be beneficial. The potential for increased DNA damage suggests that the respiratory and systemic impacts of vaping could be more severe than previously understood [3].

These warnings come as vaping continues to gain popularity globally, particularly among younger populations who may not have a history of smoking combustible cigarettes [1]. The experts said that the perceived coolness of the habit masks the underlying biological risks [2].

“Vaping may be more harmful than traditional cigarette smoking.”

This shift in medical perspective suggests that the 'harm reduction' model of vaping is flawed. If e-cigarettes cause more significant DNA damage than combustible tobacco, regulatory bodies may move to classify them as high-risk products rather than cessation tools, potentially leading to stricter bans and updated public health warnings globally.