Selena Gomez recently revealed in a video shared on her Instagram stories that vaping had impacted her voice. The American singer, actor, and makeup line founder expressed regret for vaping nicotine extensively, emphasizing the difficulty of quitting and advising against it. Gomez acknowledged that vaping had altered her voice and humorously commented that if listeners found it unpleasant, she understood. She did not disclose the duration of her vaping habit but mentioned that she had stopped and hoped to continue abstaining, acknowledging the challenges.

Throughout the years, Gomez has been transparent about her health struggles. In 2015, she disclosed her diagnosis of Lupus, an autoimmune disease affecting healthy tissues. She also hinted that Lupus might have affected her vocal cords, causing occasional throat swelling. In 2017, Gomez underwent a kidney transplant and later shared her bipolar disorder diagnosis in the documentary “Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me.”

Although Gomez’s experience sheds light on vaping risks, health experts caution that vaping’s dangers extend beyond nicotine. Professor Dilini Vethanayagam from the University of Alberta highlighted the potential harm of various chemicals in vape smoke, including nicotine, on the upper airways and vocal cords. Health Canada reports over 1,500 unique chemicals in vaping products, with known health risks like lung damage.

Vethanayagam stressed the importance of public figures like Gomez speaking out against vaping to raise awareness of its risks. She emphasized the need for stricter regulations on vaping sales and use, labeling vaping as a growing epidemic requiring immediate attention. In Canada, discussions on restricting vaping flavors have been ongoing due to increased youth usage, with ongoing efforts to legislate restrictions on young people purchasing tobacco products, including vapes.

As the conversation around vaping continues, Gomez’s honesty serves as a reminder of the dangers associated with this habit, urging individuals to prioritize their health and avoid potentially harmful behaviors.