Flavored vaping may affect health more seriously than once thought

More than 7% of U.S. adults say they regularly use e-cigarettes

Flavorings commonly used in electronic cigarettes, which are used by millions of Americans, may harm joint health even when nicotine is not present, according to a study published Wednesday.

Researchers at Seton Hall University in New Jersey said cinnamon and menthol flavors were particularly damaging, killing ATDC5 cartilage cells.

The additives also appeared to interfere with the cells’ ability to create and preserve healthy tissue, while sparking inflammation and activating changes linked to tissue breakdown and swelling.

“Our findings show that e-cigarette flavor additives are far from benign additives,” Jessica Cottrell, an associate professor at the university, said in a statement.

“Even without nicotine, these chemical agents alter metabolism, gene expression and inflammatory pathways, which underscores an urgent need to examine how vaping impacts broader musculoskeletal and tissue health.”

Cottrell and her co-authors noted that earlier research linked cinnamaldehyde, a major component of cinnamon flavoring, to cell death in the lungs and respiratory system.

They also pointed to additional studies from Rutgers University and the University of Hawai’i that found other harmful effects from menthol in e-cigarettes.

For their study, the researchers selected five flavors based on popularity in the United States, including tobacco, strawberry kiwi and flavorless additives.

Federal data released in March showed that 7% of American adults reported using e-cigarettes in 2024. A Gallup poll in 2025 found that 8% said they had used one in the past week.

E-cigarettes are not considered safe, although experts generally view them as less harmful than smoking tobacco because they do not involve burning material. According to the American Cancer Society, smoking tobacco causes about 20% of all cancers.

Even so, e-cigarettes still contain addictive nicotine, a chemical stimulant that can lead to dependence.

The battery-powered devices have also been found to contain heavy metals, volatile organic compounds and cancer-causing chemicals, the American Heart Association warns.

“The liquid used in e-cigarettes can be dangerous, even apart from its intended use. Children and adults have been poisoned by swallowing, breathing or absorbing the liquid through their skin or eyes,” the association wrote.