Vape' is English Word of the Year for 2014, Oxford Says Smoking Declines Globally as Vaping, E Cigarette Use Soars The Chant Why did Oxford English Dictionary choose vape as word of year? VAPE THREAT: A Rutgers study finds vapes have replaced cigarettes as the top nicotine threat to young children. E cigarette related exposures from products such as vapes have increased 243% in children ages 5