E‑Cigarettes and Vaping in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Electronic cigarettes (e‑cigarettes or vapes) simulate the act of smoking, but they don’t burn tobacco. Instead, these battery‑powered devices heat a liquid (often called e‑liquid or vape juice) into an aerosol that you inhale into your lungs. This aerosol is commonly called “vapor,” and inhaling it is known as “vaping.”

In Grand Rapids and across Michigan, vaping has become increasingly common among teens and adults. Local healthcare providers such as Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health are seeing more patients with vaping‑related concerns, including nicotine addiction and breathing problems.

How E‑Cigarettes Work

E‑cigarettes usually include:

  • A battery
  • A heating coil
  • A tank or cartridge for e‑liquid
  • A mouthpiece

The device heats the e‑liquid to create an aerosol. This aerosol can contain:

  • Nicotine (often at very high levels)
  • Flavoring chemicals
  • Solvents such as propylene glycol and glycerin
  • Heavy metals (like nickel, tin, and lead)
  • Other toxic or irritating chemicals

The vapor cloud may look like cigarette smoke, but it is chemically different and can still be harmful to both the user and people nearby.

Are E‑Cigarettes Safe or Approved to Help You Quit Smoking?

In the United States, e‑cigarettes are not approved as a medication to help people quit smoking. While some Grand Rapids residents report that vaping helped them switch away from regular cigarettes, major medical organizations and local health systems recommend proven, FDA‑approved quit‑smoking treatments first, such as:

  • Nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers, nasal sprays)
  • Prescription medications (like varenicline or bupropion)
  • Behavioral counseling and quit‑smoking programs

You can access these through primary care providers and smoking‑cessation programs at:

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

Research is still ongoing, and the long‑term safety and effectiveness of e‑cigarettes for quitting smoking remain unclear.

Vaping and Youth in Grand Rapids

Research shows that teens and young adults who start with e‑cigarettes are about three times more likely to go on to smoke regular cigarettes compared with those who never vape.

This is especially concerning in Grand Rapids, where:

  • High‑school and college students are heavily targeted by flavored vape products
  • Flavors like fruit, candy, and mint can make vaping seem harmless
  • Peer pressure and social media trends encourage experimentation

Youth vaping is a major concern for the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health, which are working with schools and community groups to reduce e‑cigarette use among teens.

Health Risks of E‑Cigarettes

1. Nicotine Addiction and Brain Development

Many e‑cigarettes contain very high levels of nicotine—sometimes the equivalent of a pack or more of cigarettes in a single device or pod.

Nicotine:

  • Is highly addictive
  • Can poison young children if swallowed, inhaled in large amounts, or absorbed through the skin
  • Can interfere with brain development, which continues until about age 25

For teenagers and young adults in Grand Rapids, nicotine use can:

  • Impair learning, memory, and attention
  • Increase anxiety and mood problems
  • Raise the risk of addiction to other substances later in life

2. Poisoning and Overdose Risk

Liquid nicotine and high‑strength vape products can cause nicotine poisoning, especially in children:

  • Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, and seizures
  • In severe cases, poisoning can be life‑threatening

If a child in your home is exposed to e‑liquid or a vape device:

  • Call Poison Control right away at 1‑800‑222‑1222
  • Seek emergency care at a local ER such as Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital or Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital if symptoms are severe

Always store vapes and e‑liquids locked away and out of sight of children.

3. Lung Injuries and Breathing Problems

Vaping has been linked to:

  • Coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath
  • Worsening of asthma and other chronic lung diseases
  • Serious lung injuries (sometimes called EVALI) that can require hospitalization

Cold, humid winters in Grand Rapids can already worsen breathing issues like asthma and bronchitis. Vaping on top of that can:

  • Trigger asthma attacks
  • Make it harder to recover from respiratory infections
  • Increase the risk of serious complications from illnesses like influenza or COVID‑19

Local pulmonologists at Spectrum Health, Metro Health, and Mercy Health have reported increasing cases of young, otherwise healthy people with vaping‑related lung problems.

4. Exposure to Harmful Chemicals

E‑cigarette vapor can contain:

  • Heavy metals: nickel, tin, lead
  • Toxins: arsenic, formaldehyde, acrolein, chlorine compounds
  • Fine particulate matter (PM) that can penetrate deep into the lungs

These substances are associated with:

  • Heart disease
  • Lung irritation and inflammation
  • Worsening of conditions like COPD and asthma

Inhaling fine particles and chemicals is especially risky during Michigan’s winter months, when people spend more time indoors and indoor air quality may already be poor.

5. Secondhand and Thirdhand Vapor

People near someone who is vaping can breathe in the aerosol and its chemicals. This “secondhand vapor” can be harmful, especially for:

  • Children
  • Pregnant women
  • People with asthma, heart disease, or other chronic conditions

“Thirdhand” exposure can also occur when particles from vapor settle on surfaces, furniture, and clothing—something to consider during long indoor periods in Grand Rapids’ colder seasons.

Mislabeling and Hidden Nicotine

Even when e‑cigarette products are advertised as “nicotine‑free,” testing in the U.S. has found that:

  • Some products do contain nicotine despite the label
  • Nicotine levels can be much higher than stated
  • Ingredients lists are often incomplete or inaccurate

Many vaping devices and e‑liquids sold online or in shops around Grand Rapids are:

  • Manufactured in multiple countries
  • Assembled from parts with varying quality control
  • Not evaluated for safety by U.S. regulators

This makes it difficult for consumers to know exactly what they are inhaling.

Vaping Safety and Michigan Law

In Michigan, e‑cigarettes and vaping products are regulated in many of the same ways as traditional tobacco:

  • Minimum age: It is illegal to sell vaping products to anyone under 21
  • Smoke‑free laws: Vaping is generally not allowed in places where smoking is banned, such as most workplaces, restaurants, and public buildings
  • School policies: Grand Rapids Public Schools and most local districts prohibit vaping on school property and at school events

If you see a retailer in Grand Rapids selling e‑cigarettes or vapes to minors, you can report it to:

  • The Kent County Health Department
  • Local law enforcement or city code enforcement

Always check current Michigan and City of Grand Rapids regulations, as laws and enforcement policies can change.

Protecting Children and Families in Grand Rapids

To reduce vaping‑related risks in your home:

  • Do not vape around children or pregnant women
  • Never allow vaping in enclosed spaces like cars or small rooms
  • Store all e‑cigarettes and e‑liquids:
    • Out of sight and reach of children
    • In child‑resistant containers
    • Away from food and drinks

Talk openly with teens about:

  • The real health risks of vaping
  • The high levels of nicotine in many products
  • How vaping can lead to cigarette smoking and other addictions

Local pediatricians and family doctors across Grand Rapids can provide guidance on how to have these conversations and screen for nicotine use.

Quitting Vaping in Grand Rapids: Where to Get Help

If you or someone you know wants to quit vaping or stop using e‑cigarettes, there are many resources available in Grand Rapids and throughout Michigan.

Local Medical Support

You can start by talking with:

  • Your primary care provider
  • A pulmonologist (lung specialist)
  • A pediatrician or adolescent medicine specialist for teens

Major health systems offering support in the Grand Rapids area include:

  • Spectrum Health / Corewell Health
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Mercy Health

They can provide:

  • Assessment of nicotine dependence
  • FDA‑approved medications and nicotine replacement therapy
  • Referrals to counseling and behavioral support programs

State and Community Resources

  • Michigan Tobacco Quitline: 1‑800‑QUIT‑NOW (1‑800‑784‑8669)
    • Free counseling, quit plans, and sometimes free nicotine replacement for eligible residents
  • Kent County Health Department
    • Offers local tobacco and vaping cessation information, classes, and referrals
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and community clinics
    • May provide group programs, education, and low‑cost support

Many programs now offer phone, online, and text‑based coaching, which can be especially helpful during winter months when travel is difficult.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Care

Contact a healthcare provider or seek urgent care at a Grand Rapids emergency department (such as Spectrum Health Butterworth or Trinity Health Grand Rapids) if you or someone else who vapes experiences:

  • Sudden shortness of breath or chest pain
  • Persistent cough with fever
  • Confusion, seizures, or severe dizziness after using a vape
  • A child who may have swallowed or spilled e‑liquid

For suspected poisoning, call Poison Control at 1‑800‑222‑1222 right away.

Key Takeaways for Grand Rapids Residents

  • E‑cigarettes and vapes are not harmless and are not approved as a safe way to quit smoking.
  • Vaping can lead to nicotine addiction, lung injury, and increased risk of smoking, especially among teens.
  • Michigan laws restrict sales to minors and limit where vaping is allowed, similar to tobacco.
  • Local resources in Grand Rapids—including Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health, and the Kent County Health Department—can help you or your family quit vaping and stay tobacco‑free.

If you’re ready to quit, reach out to a local Grand Rapids healthcare provider or call 1‑800‑QUIT‑NOW to get started with a personalized quit plan.