What does the evidence say about youth vaping? study Dr Colin Mendelsohn Young people who vape are 3 times more likely to take up smoking cigarettes. Vaping can lead to lung damage and can be harmful for young brains, which are still developing until There Are Now an Estimated 82 Million Vapers Worldwide Vaping isn't harmless. Early nicotine use can harm brain development, affect how nerve cells work, and increase the risk of addiction. Young people who vape are 4x more likely to start smoking