Although e-cigarettes can potentially harm any user, groups most at risk include:
Youths: Nicotine can harm brain development in young people and cause addiction. A January 2018 report by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine concluded that youths who use e-cigarettes are more likely to use traditional cigarettes later.
Young adults: Nicotine can harm brain development, which continues into your 20s.
Pregnant women: Nicotine is toxic to unborn babies and can damage the health of pregnant women and their developing babies.
Adult nonsmokers: Nicotine can cause addiction if you’re a nonsmoker who begins vaping.
People with existing lung diseases: If you have a structural lung condition like emphysema, use of e-cigarettes could worsen it.
People with cardiovascular diseases: If you have a condition like coronary artery disease, cerebral vascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, or high blood pressure, vaping can cause damage.