Myth or fact? Take the quiz
All answers and sources
1. Some vapes labelled “nicotine-free” contain nicotine.
FactSome vapes labelled “nicotine-free” have been found to contain nicotine.
Sources: WHO 2024; Chivers et al. 2019
2. Vape clouds are just water vapour.
MythIn fact, vape aerosol isn’t just water vapour: it can contain nicotine and toxic substances, including metals.
Sources: US Surgeon General 2016; Olmedo et al. 2018; CDC
3. Between puffs, missing nicotine can make you feel tense.
FactSome of the “calm” people feel from vaping is relief from a craving that nicotine itself causes.
Sources: Hughes et al. 2020; CDC; NHS
4. If you don’t smoke, other people’s smoke can’t hurt you.
MythIn fact, there is no safe level of second-hand smoke.
Sources: WHO 2026; US Surgeon General 2006
5. There’s nothing you can do to breathe in less polluted air.
MythIn fact, checking air quality, taking it easier outside on bad-air days and using less busy roads can cut how much pollution you breathe in.
Sources: WHO 2020; Rafiepourgatabi et al. 2021
- WHO. Tobacco: E-cigarettes (Q&A). 19 Jan 2024. https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/tobacco-e-cigarettes
- WHO. Tobacco fact sheet. Updated 2026. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tobacco
- WHO. Personal interventions and risk communication on air pollution. Geneva: WHO; 2020. ISBN 9789240000278
- US DHHS. E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Young Adults: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta: CDC; 2016
- US DHHS. The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta: CDC; 2006
- Olmedo P, et al. Metal concentrations in e-cigarette liquid and aerosol samples: the contribution of metallic coils. Environ Health Perspect. 2018;126(2):027010. doi:10.1289/EHP2175
- Chivers E, et al. Nicotine and other potentially harmful compounds in “nicotine-free” e-cigarette liquids in Australia. Med J Aust. 2019;210(3):127–128. doi:10.5694/mja2.12059
- Hughes JR, et al. Withdrawal symptoms from e-cigarette abstinence among adult never-smokers: a pilot experimental study. Nicotine Tob Res. 2020;22(5):740–746. doi:10.1093/ntr/ntz169
- CDC. Health Effects of Vaping. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/e-cigarettes/health-effects.html
- NHS. Stopping smoking for your mental health. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/quit-smoking/stopping-smoking-mental-health-benefits/
- Rafiepourgatabi M, et al. The impact of route choice on active commuters’ exposure to air pollution: a systematic review. Front Sustain Cities. 2021;2:565733
3 ways to protect your lungs from dirty air
- Take it easy outdoorsCheck the air before sport outside. On bad-air days, train indoors or go easier.
- Pick the quieter routeWhere it’s safe, walk or cycle away from heavy traffic. Quieter streets often have cleaner air.
- Cut smoke at homeIf your family cooks or heats with wood, charcoal or coal, cooking outdoors or by an open door helps, and so does keeping young children away from the smoke. Keep cigarettes and vapes out of the house.
Sources: WHO, personal interventions for air pollution; WHO, household air pollution fact sheet, 2025.
What happens after quitting smoking
The body starts recovering within minutes.
- 20 minutes Heart rate and blood pressure drop.
- 12 hours Carbon monoxide in the blood drops to normal.
- 2–12 weeks Blood circulation improves and the lungs work better.
- 1–9 months Coughing and shortness of breath decrease.
- 1 year The risk of heart disease is about half a smoker’s.
Source: WHO, “Tobacco: health benefits of smoking cessation”.
Want to quit? Quitting is easier with support: a doctor, health worker or trusted adult can help.
18 November
Take Back Your Breath Day
5 countries, 1 day. Show us how you take back your breath. No need to show your face.