While vaping is not risk free, it is less harmful than tobacco Our World in Data Most smokers wrongly believe vaping is at least as harmful as smoking, says study Adolescence is a critical window for brain development. Nicotine exposure during this time increases the risk of addiction. Many young people who vape have never smoked. But those who vape are more Vaping now more common than smoking among young peopleand the risks go beyond lung and brain damage