Should Christians Vape?

Vaping has rapidly gained popularity since e-cigarettes, vapes, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), and similar devices first came on the market in the early 2000s.

Vaping was initially promoted as a safer alternative to smoking, and it has become increasingly popular even among those who have never smoked. However, mounting data is showing that these devices are not as safe as some have thought.

What should Christians consider when it comes to vaping?

What is vaping?

Vaping is the act of inhaling aerosol produced by a vape, a device that contains a battery, a heating element and a place to hold liquid. The liquid, or “juice,” is heated to become a vapor, which the user then inhales. 

Vapes often resemble other devices, such as highlighters or USB flash drives, making them easy to conceal. Having exploded onto the market in 2019, disposable e-cigarettes are currently the most purchased product of this type, as of 2024 (CDC).

Why do people vape?

There are various reasons that vaping has become so common:

• As an alternative to smoking. Some people who want to quit smoking believe vaping is less harmful.
• Convenience. The devices are small, easily concealed, don’t trigger smoke detectors and face fewer restrictions in public.
• Stress and anxiety relief.
• Social pressure.
• Self-expression. The variety of devices and juices make it trendy and individualized.
• Marketing. Strong ad campaigns make it seem attractive and cool, especially to young people.

While there are many reasons people have taken up vaping, those seeking to obey God must answer the question: “Would God be pleased with this activity?”

Those seeking to honor God are called to separate themselves from things of the world (2 Corinthians 6:17) and not “be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2).

Just because something is widely accepted in society does not mean it is beneficial or acceptable for a Christian.

Addiction

Many vaping liquids include the chemical nicotine, which is a highly addictive substance. But even those without nicotine can be addictive. Some new “smart vapes” are equipped with a screen and a game system, which may increase their addictive tendencies by using the brain’s reward pathways.

Addiction is a form of slavery. When we become addicted to something, we become slaves of that thing or substance.

Those seeking to please God must strive to avoid and overcome all forms of addiction. “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey?” (Romans 6:16).

Through Jesus Christ, we can be freed from the sinful habits that keep us in bondage (verses 17-18). We should never surrender control of our body to any addiction.

For more information, see our series “Freedom From Addiction.”

Poison

Besides being addictive, nicotine affects multiple body systems.

It can strain the cardiovascular system by raising the user’s heart rate and blood pressure, irritate and inflame the respiratory tract and disrupt normal gastrointestinal function.

Nicotine also weakens the immune response and can reduce fertility in both men and women.

In people under 25, whose brains are still developing, nicotine can interfere with learning, attention and impulse control—and can increase the likelihood of future addiction to other substances.

Another significant risk of vaping is nicotine poisoning, which can occur in both children and adults through contact with vaping liquid. Before the popularity of vaping, nicotine poisoning was relatively rare and typically occurred because of contact with insecticides containing nicotine or accidental consumption of tobacco.

From 2017 to 2022, the average nicotine strength in U.S. e-cigarette products increased substantially (from around 2.5 percent to 4.4 percent), raising concerns about higher exposure. Early signs of nicotine poisoning include vomiting, rapid heart rate, increased salivation and seizures. In more severe cases—particularly among children or users of high-nicotine products—symptoms can escalate to breathing difficulties, low blood pressure, paralysis, coma or even death.

Unfortunately, children are at the greatest risk of nicotine poisoning. Many vape products come in appealing packaging, with flavors and scents that attract children who either swallow or spill the liquid on their skin (Cleveland Clinic, 2021).

Is vaping without nicotine safe?

A common draw of vaping is the array of options, including different flavorings and varieties that don’t include nicotine. 

Even though they may not have nicotine, they still contain many of the same chemicals found in traditional cigarettes. Contrary to a common belief that vaping just produces harmless water vapor with no risks, the vapor is actually an aerosol that contains suspended particles. 

In addition to flavorings, the vapor often contains heavy metals such as lead and other chemicals, as well as additives commonly found in antifreeze, paint solvent, herbicides and even car exhaust. The inflammation and irritation caused by these chemicals can contribute to chronic diseases like bronchitis, emphysema, heart disease and cancer.

Is vaping less harmful than smoking?

Some have proposed that vaping is less harmful than smoking a cigarette and thus recommend it as a replacement. However, less harmful isn’t the same as not harmful. Rather than helping people quit smoking, the introduction of vape products has led to dual use by many. 

Because both smoking and vaping are harmful but include different substances, this increases the risk compared to using either alone. In fact, dual use of these products may be up to 20 to 40 percent more harmful than using either alone.

Vaping is not included as a smoking cessation tool by the FDA, and the CDC advocates against its usage. Still, the message that vaping can be less detrimental to one’s health than smoking has led some to believe that vaping is not harmful at all.

Due to this belief, some individuals who would never consider smoking due to the risks have taken up vaping. This is especially the case for teens and young adults.

In fact, a majority of advertising for vape products seems directed toward teens, seeking to draw in a new generation of consumers to these harmful products. Most young people are exposed to vaping advertising, which often includes fun colors, flavors and famous characters all over their social media.

While it isn’t widely discussed, some emerging research suggests that disposable vapes—especially popular among younger users—may carry unique risks and, in some cases, could be more harmful than traditional cigarettes or reusable vaping devices.

Love your neighbor

If we truly love our neighbor, we will not release chemicals into the air he or she breathes. Another draw to vaping is how few restrictions there seem to be. 

While smoking is banned in many indoor public spaces and restricted in outdoor public spaces, vaping often has fewer restrictions. Because of this, those who vape may assume that there is no risk to others around them.

However, like secondhand smoke, vapor can also be breathed in by those nearby after it is exhaled. Like secondhand smoke, secondhand vapor contains the same chemicals as the vapor inhaled by the one vaping. When people vape, the aerosolized chemicals are released into the air around them, exposing everyone in the vicinity to the same harmful effects.

Christ called upon His followers to “love one another; as I have loved you” (John 13:34), and Romans 13:10 tells us, “Love does no harm to a neighbor.” If we truly love our neighbor, we will not release chemicals into the air he or she breathes.

Body as a temple

God carefully designed our bodies and expects us to take care of them. 

Paul wrote, “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit . . . and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). 

Our bodies belong to God, and we should take care of them as such. 

Keeping this in mind, we should ask ourselves, “Does it glorify God to intentionally inhale something that harms my body?” Would Jesus Christ, if He were walking the earth today, recreationally inhale chemicals into His lungs?

Is vaping a sin?

Although the Bible doesn’t speak directly about vaping, there are many biblical principles we should consider.

Christians shouldn’t try to conform to this world and participate in trendy things just because others are doing them (Romans 12:2). Vaping is popular, but that doesn’t mean Christians should do it.

Human beings were made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26), and Christians are called to “be holy” (1 Peter 1:16). To be “holy” means to be set apart by God for a purpose. 

Instead of being enslaved to addiction and exposing our God-created bodies to the chemical substances found in vapes, we should seek to serve God and do things that promote holiness and purity in our lives.

Research shows that vaping is not harmless, but that it poses real health risks. We should take care of and glorify God with our bodies, not poison them.

For more insight on related topics, read “Is Smoking a Sin?” and “Temple of the Holy Spirit: The Body.”