Dangers of Vaping University of Utah Health University of Utah Health Vaping vs. Smoking Which is Safer for Your Lungs? Think vaping is the "healthier" option? Think again. Both smoking and vaping come with serious risks to your lung health, Vaping delivers heated chemicals directly into the lungs. Unlike air, vape aerosols contain fine particles, nicotine, heavy metals, and flavoring compounds that were never designed to be inhaled. Once inside the chest, Inhale this: What does vaping do to your lungs?