Heavy metals in vaping: fact or fiction?

The latest edition of the 60 millions de consommateurs magazine published in January 2025 warned vapers: some e-cigarettes could contain traces of heavy metals. So, fact or fiction?

Test panel for the 60 millions de consommateurs study

In its report published in January 2025, the 60 millions de consommateurs magazine highlighted a study covering 6 models of e-cigarettes from well-known brands (Aspire, Vaporesso, Eleaf, Geekvape, Innokin and Voopoo).

It also compared 4 e-liquids, including:

• 3 flavoured and nicotine-containing e-liquids (in salt form or not) with a 50/50 PG/VG ratio;
• 1 neutral-flavoured e-liquid with sucralose.

Regarding the methodology and testing conditions, no details are provided in the article.

Results of the investigation into traces of heavy metals in e-cigarettes

Regarding the e-liquids tested, 60 millions de consommateurs found no worrying quantities of heavy metals, terpenes or volatile organic compounds.

A second test was conducted after leaving the e-liquids in contact with the tanks and coils of the e-cigarettes for one week. This analysis reportedly demonstrated the presence of heavy metals in the puffs, in varying quantities, but always very low.

It was notably arsenic that was reportedly detected in trace form, along with other heavy metals varying by e-cigarette model: lead, nickel, arsenic, cobalt, chromium, etc.

It should be noted that traces of these heavy metals are present in quantities close to those found in inhaled medicines or simply in the air we breathe outdoors or at home.

Claude Bamberger, president of the Association indépendante des utilisateurs de cigarettes électroniques (AIDUCE), responded to the publication of the report by recalling that "(...) only lead and nickel levels may raise concerns for heavy vapers. (...). This is a matter for improvement but not for alarm, given the actual daily exposure data".

Should you change your vaping habits?

In its study, 60 millions de consommateurs highlights a fact already well known to vapers: the issue of coils and e-liquid heating.

The e-cigarettes criticised in the article are those that were used with sub-ohm coils and high wattages. In this case, the materials are under significant stress and degrade much more quickly.

Additionally, the e-liquid containing sucralose reportedly degraded too quickly, even at a relatively moderate wattage.

In concrete terms, the higher the wattage at which the coils are used, the greater the quantity of heavy metals detected.

For anxious vapers, it is possible to vape at lower wattages. It should nevertheless be noted that the e-cigarette is today the most effective tool for successfully quitting smoking and that, unlike cigarettes which still kill more than 75,000 people every year, a scientific consensus demonstrates that vaping is less harmful than tobacco.