Health effects of electronic cigarettes Wikipedia Many people believe that vaping is less harmful than smoking, but that's a common misconception. In fact, in addition to nicotine, vapes can contain toxic chemicals that could be linked to cancer, What to Expect When You Quit Smoking and Start Vaping? Moffitt experts note that switching to vaping may reduce harm for people who smoke, but it's not risk free, and the safest choice is still not to start. Balancing two priorities is key