Eliminating Tobacco Use in Washington Kids American Heart Association Is vaping safer than smoking? Dr Colin Mendelsohn Vaping Harmless. Vape aerosol contains toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, arsenic, lead, chromium, and nickel. They damage lungs. They harm developing brains. They raise cancer risks. We Vaping vs. smoking: Long term effects, benefits, and risks Just How Harmful Is Vaping? More Evidence Is Emerging. The New York Times