While vaping is not risk free, it is less harmful than tobacco Our World in Data Some reports state that these new, flavored smoking devices are less harmful than tobacco cigarettes but how safe is vaping? In this third part of a four part series, China Daily examines the Since their introduction in Europe in 2006 and the U.S. in 2007, the use of e cigarettes a.k.a., vapes has skyrocketed. A recent review from researchers in Australia found the results Public Health Consequences of E Cigarettes Nonnicotine vapes may be marketed as safe, but many still contain chemicals, have unknown health effects, and aren't FDAregulated. Teens are using them more ofteneven alongside nicotine vapes. No ecigarette is riskfree.