“Anyone who thinks vaping is harmless needs to look a little closer.”
That’s how Professor Marcus Kennedy — Consultant Respiratory Physician at Cork University Hospital and President of the Irish Thoracic Society — begins his conversation with host Patrick O’Donnell on Disability Matters.
Professor Kennedy joined the show to mark World Lung Day and to launch a new guide on vaping risks for secondary school students. The guide is part of a national education push to tackle misconceptions about vaping and to protect young people from nicotine addiction.
Myths, Aerosols, and the Truth About Vaping
“The first big myth is the word vape itself,” Professor Kennedy explains.
“It makes us think of steam, like a kettle. But it’s not steam — it’s an aerosol, like deodorant spray — and it carries toxins that damage your lungs, your heart, even your brain.”
While vaping is often marketed as “90% safer than cigarettes,” Professor Kennedy cautions that this doesn’t mean it’s safe.
“We have a century of data on cigarettes — we know they kill one in two smokers. We don’t have that kind of data on vaping. But we do have evidence from labs and early research showing harm. If you run the numbers, even if vaping was only 90% safer, that still means 5–10% of long-term users could die from it. That’s a risk we cannot ignore.”
Teenagers, Flavours, and Addiction
One of the major concerns for the Irish Thoracic Society is how appealing vapes are to teenagers.
“They don’t smell like smoke, they don’t set off alarms, and they come in bright colours and candy flavours,” he says. “That makes them attractive — and dangerous.”
Although disposable vapes and sales to under-18s are now banned, many teenagers still access them online or with fake IDs. And when they do, they’re often consuming nicotine levels equivalent to two packs of cigarettes per device.
“One in three young people who start vaping become addicted,” Professor Kennedy warns. “Nicotine damages the developing brain. We see kids with irritability, poor sleep, and difficulty concentrating — all of which affect their education and mental health.”
Safer Ways to Quit
So what about adults who use vaping to stop smoking?
“If a patient asks me, ‘Would you rather I smoke or vape?’ I’d prefer neither,” he admits. “But if I have to choose, vaping is lower risk. Still, we have safe nicotine replacement therapies — patches, gums, sprays, and inhalers available through pharmacies — that don’t go into the lungs and don’t carry the same unknown risks. That’s what we recommend.”
He also highlights QUIT.ie — the HSE’s free smoking cessation service, which combines counselling, medication, and personalised support.
New Threats: Nicotine Pouches and Hybrid Devices
Even as legislation catches up with disposable vapes, new nicotine products are appearing.
“Nicotine pouches are a real worry,” Professor Kennedy says. “They look like mints in a tin, they’re highly addictive, and there’s no legislation on them right now. Kids can just buy them.”
Hybrid vapes — refillable pods that get around the disposable ban — are also on the rise. “The tobacco industry is always a step ahead,” he warns. “We need to keep updating legislation if we’re serious about protecting public health.”
Protecting Lung Health
Beyond vaping, Professor Kennedy shares a simple message for everyone:
“Exercise, get your vaccines, and keep a healthy weight — these all help your lungs work better. And of course, if you smoke, get support and quit. Your lungs will thank you.”
The Irish Thoracic Society continues its work across advocacy, research, and education, from contributing to the Tobacco Amendment Bill (which will ban cigarette sales to under-21s by 2028) to producing podcasts and school programmes on lung health.
A Call to Action
For World Lung Day, Professor Kennedy’s message is clear:
“We need to stop thinking of vaping as harmless. Whether you’re a teenager, a parent, or a teacher, know the risks, talk about them, and make informed choices. The earlier we act, the better we can protect the next generation.”
📅 Disability Matters airs every Thursday at 4PM on 92.5 Phoenix FM
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Learn more about the Irish Thoracic Society: irishthoracicsociety.com
Compiled by Valentyna Hordiichuk