Israeli Doctors Weigh In on Vaping's Impact on Voice and Health

American singer and actress Selena Gomez recently revealed that her voice has been permanently altered due to her electronic cigarette use, impacting her career. This confession has sparked global attention, including in Israel, prompting local medical professionals to comment on the issue. Gomez, 34, admitted to struggling with nicotine addiction and shared a video on Instagram detailing how vaping affected her vocal cords, stating, "I can't get my old voice back. I smoked too much." She urged those struggling with or considering vaping to quit, emphasizing, "It's just not worth it."

Dr. Emilia Khardak, a pulmonologist at Maccabi Healthcare Services, explained that quitting vaping is difficult due to both physical nicotine dependence and the psychological habit of the act itself, often perceived as relaxing. She noted the widespread use of vapes among teenagers, calling it an "epidemic" and expressing concern over addiction developing at an early age. Vaping, according to Dr. Khardak, can cause inflammation and lung tissue damage due to toxic substances, potentially leading to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Research, including a South Korean study of over 4.5 million former smokers, indicated that vapers had a 56% higher risk of lung cancer and a 22% higher risk of all-cause mortality compared to non-smokers.

Beyond lung health, Dr. Khardak highlighted that vaping can affect the brain and cardiovascular system, causing increased heart rate and blood pressure. The vapor can also irritate the mouth, throat, and vocal cords, leading to inflammation and potentially irreversible changes in voice timbre. The extent of vocal recovery depends on the duration and intensity of vaping. While the UK's National Health Service considers vaping less harmful than traditional cigarettes, long-term effects remain understudied, leading experts to advise non-smokers against starting.

Professor Sarah Jackson of University College London suggested differentiating between smokers who switch to vapes and those who start vaping without prior smoking history, noting that for the latter group, vaping introduces new risks. She cited a 2024 study showing increased nicotine addiction among British youth alongside declining traditional cigarette use. Dr. Khardak stressed the need for stricter public smoking controls and greater public awareness regarding vaping's potential harms, emphasizing that overcoming addiction begins with a conscious decision to quit.