Rajasthan Royals skipper Riyan Parag vaping in dressing room: Is it safe if it's nicotine-free?

The visuals of Rajasthan Royals' skipper Riyan Parag vaping in the dressing room during the ongoing IPL 2026 have gone viral on social media. The player drew flak from all quarters as smoking or vaping is strictly banned inside IPL dressing rooms or on the ground. The BCCI disciplinary committee took action against Parag and penalised him for violating the rules. Meanwhile, many have been wondering whether vapes, which people usually use as an alternative to cigarettes, are safer than tobacco. 

What is vaping?  
According to the Mayo Clinic, it is a term used to describe ENDS(electronic nicotine delivery systems). It includes vaporisers, cigarettes, vape pens and e-cigarettes. These devices heat a liquid solution that usually contains nicotine, to inhale the vapour. At first, it was publicised as a safer alternative to smoking, though the theory was proven wrong later. 

Is vaping harmful to health?            
Yes. The side effects of vaping could be classified into two:                       
1. Short-term effects              
Some people may exhibit discomfort as soon as they start vaping. Throat pain, persistent cough, difficulty breathing, nausea and losing consciousness, as well as rising heartbeats, are some of the harmful effects of inhaling nicotine through vaping pens.     
2. Long-term effects                         
Studies have been conducted around the world about the long-term effects of vaping. Nevertheless, the toxins entering the body through vaping may cause severe heart and respiratory diseases and even cancer. 

Will it affect the kidneys?     
The Mayo Clinic warns that vaping can cause severe kidney injury. Several other studies also say that nicotine, which is the main component in vape pens, could drastically increase blood pressure and eventually destroy the minute blood vessels in the kidneys. Besides, the toxic chemicals that reach the body cause cellular inflammation, leading to oxidative stress. All these factors may affect the health and functioning of the organ. The liquid in the vape pens contains chemicals and toxic metals like lead and cadmium that ruin your health. These toxins may be deposited in the kidneys as the kidneys purify the blood. Besides, vaping could cause extreme dehydration in the body, and the kidneys may not get enough water required for their proper functioning.    

How is vaping different from smoking?                 
In regular cigarettes, tobacco is burned to produce the smoke that contains hundreds of extremely toxic substances like tar and carbon monoxide, among others. It is true that vapes do not contain as many toxins as cigarettes as tobacco is not directly burned. However, the chemicals and metals contained in vape pens will destroy the cells in the respiratory organs, causing inflammation and other serious diseases. 

The extent of danger                     
Although vaping possesses a lower risk of respiratory diseases compared to traditional smoking, it cannot be called a safer alternative. Health experts say that any type of smoking will adversely affect the natural functioning of the respiratory organs.  

Are nicotine-free vapes safer?         
Many choose nicotine-free vapes as the risk of addiction is lower. However, the ultra-fine compounds contained in the vapour can severely damage the respiratory organs. So, vapes are not safer even if they do not contain nicotine. Besides, it is an alarming fact that people get addicted to vapes more quickly than cigarettes. Vape pens are available in multiple flavours and smells, making them appealing to people. As vapes do not have the piercing smell of cigarettes, it is difficult to detect whether someone has vaped. This is a significant factor that encourages people to turn to vaping rather than smoking cigarettes. Meanwhile, some vaping pens and e-cigarettes release nicotine quickly into the bloodstream, which is likely to cause extreme withdrawal symptoms when you are trying to quit smoking. 

Will vaping help you quit cigarettes?     
The medical world has not officially recognised vaping as a safer alternative to regular cigarettes. They recommend nicotine replacement therapy and counselling as safer options for quitting smoking. Meanwhile, it is often observed that those who try vaping as an alternative to smoking get addicted to both.