Pharmacist warning on the effect vaping is really having on your voice

Pharmacist warning on the effect vaping is really having on your voice It comes after Selena Gomez admitted vaping had changed her voice A pharmacist has warned that vaping could affect people's voices, after singer and actress Selena Gomez revealed she believes heavy nicotine use has changed hers. Hanna Yusuf, a prescribing pharmacist at Chemist4U, says vape aerosol can irritate delicate tissues around the vocal cords, potentially contributing to dryness, coughing and a hoarse voice. Gomez, 34, spoke about her experience in an Instagram story this week, saying she had vaped nicotine heavily and believed it had altered her voice. "Nicotine is so hard to quit, and I think I just wanted to say, if you're going through it, or if you're even trying to vape, it's just not worth it," she said. "It's so stupid, and it has changed my voice. I stopped, and I just hope we can keep it up. It's really hard. But I know if you are going through something, you can get through it, too." Her comments have prompted renewed interest in the possible effects of vaping on vocal health. Gomez previously discussed her voice during an Instagram Live in December 2025, saying her throat sometimes swelled internally, while the BBC has noted that lupus can also affect the voice box. Yusuf said: "Vaping can negatively affect your voice, vocal cords, and overall vocal health." She explained that aerosol produced when an e-cigarette heats liquid contains tiny particles that can irritate and dry out tissues around the vocal folds. The NHS lists coughing, dry mouth and throat, mouth and throat irritation, and shortness of breath among possible side effects of vaping. These symptoms may affect vocal comfort, while repeated coughing and prolonged speaking or singing can put additional strain on the voice. Yusuf added: “"Studies suggest that vaping may contribute to inflammation and dryness affecting the vocal folds and surrounding airway tissues." However, research into the specific long-term effects of vaping on the voice remains limited, so it is important not to assume every change in someone's voice is caused by vaping. People can help protect their voices by staying hydrated, avoiding inhaled irritants and resting their voice when it feels strained. Yusuf recommends seeking medical advice if voice changes persist, with NHS guidance advising people to see their GP if they have a hoarse voice lasting more than three weeks. Vaping is considered less harmful than smoking, according to the NHS, and nicotine vapes can help some adults quit cigarettes. However, they are not risk-free, and people who vape to stop smoking can ask a stop smoking service or healthcare professional for support if they want to quit vaping too.