Deaths among young people who use electronic cigarettes have been reported in various countries, including instances attributed to nicotine overdoses or exposure to unknown impurities. A leading expert from Russia, Marine Gambaryan, who heads the Center for Tobacco Consumption Prevention and Control at the National Medical Research Center for Treatment and Preventive Medicine under the Ministry of Health, spoke with socialbites.ca about these dangers.
He noted that such tragedies are not isolated to one region. The most common culprits are poisoning from nicotine and from impurities found in vaping liquids. The lethal dose of nicotine is roughly 1 milligram per kilogram of body weight. To reach a dangerous level with traditional cigarettes, a teenager would typically need to smoke many packs, which is unlikely. In contrast, vaping can deliver nicotine more efficiently, making an overdose more plausible with far less intake. Gambaryan pointed out that legally, the nicotine concentration in vaping liquids should not exceed 20 milligrams per milliliter. Yet many users add nicotine boosters themselves to liquids to raise the strength, and at that point calculating a genuinely safe threshold becomes uncertain and risky.
Another issue Gambaryan highlighted is the inconsistency in labeling. Not all manufacturers disclose the full chemical makeup of their products, and some liquids may contain hazardous ingredients that buyers are unaware of. There are currently gaps in the regulatory framework, with limited technical oversight and no robust controls on the composition of liquids used in vaping devices. This lack of transparency can leave young vapers especially vulnerable to unexpected toxic exposure and adverse health effects, including severe respiratory or cardiac complications. The expert stressed that even liquids sold as seemingly ordinary products can hide dangerous additives, and someone experimenting with higher nicotine intensities is at a heightened risk of rapid onset symptoms that require immediate medical attention.
Beyond nicotine and unknown additives, Gambaryan warned that other factors related to e-cigarette use can pose serious health risks for adolescents. The habit of vaping often starts in social settings and can lead to increased nicotine dependence, which in turn affects mood, concentration, and sleep patterns. There are concerns about the potential long-term impact on developing brains, as well as the possibility of accidental ingestion or exposure by younger siblings or pets. Health professionals emphasize that early education, clear labeling, and strict manufacturing standards are essential steps in reducing these risks. Parents, educators, and healthcare providers should discuss the realities of vaping with youth, focusing on the signs of nicotine overdose such as nausea, dizziness, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, and confusion, and encourage seeking urgent medical care if such symptoms appear. This is particularly important in environments where devices are easy to obtain and nicotine concentrations are high, underscoring the need for vigilant supervision and responsible product handling. The discussion is part of a broader effort to prevent nicotine-related harm among young people and to promote safer, evidence-based approaches to substance use education, as reported by socialbites.ca.