Source: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion — Content from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (public domain).
At a glance
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are sometimes called e-cigs, vapes, vape pens, and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). E-cigarettes come in many shapes and sizes. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine. Get the facts about e-cigarettes, their health effects, and the risks of vaping.
The bottom line
* There are no safe tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.
* E-cigarettes should not be used by youth, young adults, or women who are pregnant.
* Adults who have never smoked or used other tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, should not start.
* E-cigarettes may have the potential to benefit adults who smoke and are not pregnant if they are used as a complete substitute for smoked tobacco products. However, no e-cigarette has been approved by the FDA as a smoking cessation aid.
* More research is needed to better understand the short- and long-term health effects of using e-cigarettes as well as whether e-cigarettes can be effective at helping adults quit smoking.
Empower Vape-Free Youth ™
The Empower Vape-Free Youth™ campaign encourages middle and high school educators to speak with students about the risks of e-cigarettes and nicotine addiction.
Learn what you can do to protect youth from the harms of vaping
Educators can make a real difference by engaging in meaningful conversations with their students about the dangers of vaping for young people and ways to quit. Campaign resources include a fact sheet, conversation card, and digital media.
Additional information
* [About E-Cigarettes (Vapes)](</tobacco/e-cigarettes/about.html>)
* [Health Effects of Vaping ](</tobacco/e-cigarettes/health-effects.html>)
* [E-Cigarette Use Among Adults](</tobacco/e-cigarettes/adults.html>)
* [Vaping and Quitting](</tobacco/e-cigarettes/quitting.html>)
* [E-Cigarette Use Among Youth](</tobacco/e-cigarettes/youth.html>)
* [Why Youth Vape](</tobacco/e-cigarettes/why-youth-vape.html>)
* [Protecting Youth From the Harms of Vaping](</tobacco/e-cigarettes/protecting-youth.html>)
* [Resources to Help Youth Reject or Quit Vaping](</tobacco/e-cigarettes/youth-quitting.html>)
* [Empower Vape-Free Youth Campaign](</tobacco/e-cigarettes/empower-vape-free-youth-campaign.html>)
* [Outbreak of Lung Injury Associated With the Use of E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Products](<https://archive.cdc.gov/#/details?url=https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html>)
The Empower Vape-Free Youth wordmark and logo are trademarks of the U.S. Department of****Health and Human Services (HHS). Use of these marks without prior authorization by HHS is strictly prohibited.