E-Cigarette Safety in Grand Rapids, Michigan

E-cigarettes are now common across Grand Rapids—from downtown to the suburbs—and many residents are unsure how safe they really are. Understanding the risks is especially important in West Michigan, where cold winters already strain our lungs and heart health.

This guide explains what e-cigarettes are, their potential dangers, and how to keep children safe, with resources specific to Grand Rapids and Kent County.

What Are E-Cigarettes and E-Liquids?

E-cigarettes (also called vapes, vape pens, or electronic nicotine delivery systems) are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid into an aerosol (often called “vapor”) that is then inhaled into the lungs. They do not burn tobacco, but that does not mean they are safe.

Using an e-cigarette is often called “vaping.”

What Is in E-Liquid (Vape Juice)?

The liquid used in e-cigarettes is called e-liquid, e-juice, or vape juice. Ingredients commonly include:

  • Nicotine (often in high concentrations)
  • Propylene glycol
  • Vegetable glycerin (glycerol)
  • Flavoring chemicals (fruit, candy, mint, dessert flavors, etc.)
  • Other chemicals and, sometimes, water

In Michigan and across the U.S., e-liquids are not always labeled accurately. Some products:

  • May claim to be “nicotine-free” but still contain nicotine
  • May not list all chemicals and flavorings
  • May be sold in non–child-resistant containers

Because labels can be incomplete or misleading, it can be hard to know exactly what you are inhaling.

Health Risks of E-Cigarettes and Vaping

The long-term health effects of e-cigarettes are still being studied, but we already know there are real risks—especially for teens, young adults, pregnant people, and those with asthma or heart disease.

1. Inhaling Chemical Aerosols

When you vape, you inhale an aerosol that can contain:

  • Nicotine
  • Ultrafine particles that can reach deep into the lungs
  • Flavoring chemicals (some linked to lung injury when inhaled)
  • Volatile organic compounds
  • Heavy metals (such as nickel, tin, and lead) from the device

Some flavorings are safe to eat but not safe to inhale. The lungs in particular are vulnerable during our long, dry Grand Rapids winters, when indoor air is already irritating for many people with asthma or bronchitis.

Potential health effects include:

  • Coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath
  • Worsening asthma or COPD
  • Increased risk of respiratory infections
  • Possible long-term lung damage

2. Secondhand and Thirdhand Exposure

Just like cigarette smoke, e-cigarette aerosol can affect people nearby:

  • People in the same room inhale the aerosol and ultrafine particles
  • Children and pets can be exposed through the air and from surfaces

Secondhand exposure can:

  • Trigger asthma attacks, which is especially concerning for children in Grand Rapids, where asthma rates are higher than the national average in some neighborhoods
  • Add stress to the heart and blood vessels, increasing cardiovascular risk

3. Heart and Circulation Risks

Nicotine is a stimulant that:

  • Raises heart rate and blood pressure
  • Constricts blood vessels
  • Can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, especially in adults with existing heart disease

In cold Michigan winters, when blood vessels naturally constrict in response to low temperatures, nicotine may add extra strain to the cardiovascular system.

4. Poisoning From Swallowing or Spilling E-Liquid

E-liquids can be extremely dangerous if swallowed, especially by children:

  • Even small amounts of concentrated nicotine can cause poisoning
  • Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, sweating, confusion, seizures, or collapse
  • In severe cases, nicotine poisoning can be life-threatening

E-liquids often come in bright colors and sweet flavors that can attract children. If bottles are not child-resistant or are left where kids can see them, poisoning risk increases.

E-Cigarette Safety Around Children in Grand Rapids

If you vape and have children in your home, take strict safety precautions.

Storage and Use

  • Always keep e-cigarettes and e-liquids out of sight and reach of children.
  • Store devices and liquids in a locked cabinet or box when not in use.
  • Do not use or discard e-cigarettes or cartridges in front of children.
  • Check bottles and cartridges regularly for leaks or damage.
  • Do not leave e-cigarettes or e-liquids in purses, coat pockets, or cars where kids can find them.

If a Child Swallows E-Liquid or Is Exposed

If you think a child in Grand Rapids has:

  • Swallowed e-liquid
  • Gotten e-liquid in their eyes or on their skin
  • Inhaled a large amount of vapor

Act immediately:

  1. Call 911 right away if the child:

    • Is very unwell
    • Has collapsed
    • Has stopped breathing
    • Is having a seizure
    • Shows signs of a severe allergic reaction (trouble breathing, swelling of face or throat)

  2. Contact Poison Control:

    • Call the U.S. Poison Help line: 1-800-222-1222 (available 24/7, including in Grand Rapids and all of Michigan)
    • They can tell you what to do next and whether you need to go to the emergency department

  3. If safe to do so, bring the e-liquid bottle or device with you to the emergency room so doctors can see the ingredients.

Local emergency care is available at:

  • Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) Butterworth Hospital – Downtown Grand Rapids
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Mercy Health locations in the Grand Rapids area

E-Cigarettes, Nicotine, and Michigan Law

In Michigan:

  • It is illegal to sell e-cigarettes, vapes, or vaping products to anyone under 21.
  • Retailers in Grand Rapids must check ID for tobacco and vaping product sales.
  • Giving or buying e-cigarettes for minors is also against the law.

Most adults in Michigan do not need a prescription to buy e-cigarettes; they are commonly sold in gas stations, vape shops, and convenience stores. However, some healthcare providers may discuss nicotine replacement therapies (like patches, gum, or lozenges) as safer, FDA-approved options for quitting smoking instead of vaping.

For accurate, up-to-date legal information, check:

  • Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)
  • Kent County Health Department
  • Grand Rapids Public Health resources and local ordinances

Should Grand Rapids Residents Use E-Cigarettes to Quit Smoking?

While some adults use e-cigarettes to try to quit smoking, major health organizations—including the CDC and American Heart Association—warn that:

  • Many people continue using both cigarettes and e-cigarettes
  • E-cigarettes can maintain or increase nicotine addiction
  • There are safer, FDA-approved tools for quitting

In a city like Grand Rapids, where heart disease, stroke, and lung conditions are major health concerns, especially in older adults and those exposed to harsh winter air, choosing the safest possible quit method is important.

Safer Options to Quit Smoking in Grand Rapids

Talk with your primary care provider at:

  • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health Medical Group)
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Mercy Health physician practices

They may recommend:

  • Nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers, or nasal sprays
  • Prescription medications to reduce cravings
  • Counseling and support programs

You can also use:

  • Michigan Tobacco Quitline: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
    • Free counseling, quit plans, and support for Michigan residents
  • Local cessation resources through the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health programs

When to Seek Medical Help in Grand Rapids

Seek urgent medical care if you or someone else:

  • Has trouble breathing after vaping
  • Experiences chest pain, fast heartbeat, or fainting
  • Has severe nausea, vomiting, or confusion after using e-cigarettes or e-liquids
  • Shows signs of nicotine poisoning or severe allergic reaction

In an Emergency

  • Call 911 immediately for an ambulance.
  • For suspected poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency departments in the Grand Rapids area are prepared to handle vaping-related illness, nicotine poisoning, and breathing problems.

Key Takeaways for Grand Rapids Families

  • E-cigarettes are not harmless and can damage the lungs and heart.
  • Labels on e-liquids are not always accurate; “nicotine-free” may still contain nicotine.
  • E-liquids can cause serious poisoning if swallowed, especially in children.
  • Always store and use e-cigarettes away from children, locked and out of sight.
  • Use local resources in Grand Rapids and Michigan to help quit smoking or vaping safely.

For more information, contact:

  • Kent County Health Department – Tobacco and vaping prevention programs
  • Grand Rapids Public Health resources
  • Your primary care provider within Spectrum Health/Corewell, Trinity Health, Metro Health, or Mercy Health in the Grand Rapids area.