Selena Gomez revealed in a recent video that vaping had a significant impact on her voice, addressing long-standing discussions about the changes in her voice. The U.S. singer, actress, and founder of Rare Beauty makeup line shared in a now-unavailable Instagram story that her voice alteration was a result of extensive nicotine vaping. Gomez, aged 34, emphasized the challenges of quitting nicotine and advised against vaping, stating that it was not worth the risk. She humorously acknowledged the change in her voice and mentioned that it was understandable if people preferred not to listen to it.
While she did not specify the duration of her vaping habit, Gomez expressed her struggle to quit and encouraged others facing similar challenges to persevere. The artist has been candid about her health battles, including her Lupus diagnosis in 2015, a condition where the immune system attacks healthy tissues. Gomez hinted that her vocal cords might have been affected by the disease. Additionally, she underwent a kidney transplant in 2017 and disclosed her bipolar disorder diagnosis in her 2022 documentary, “Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me.”
Despite the lack of formal clinical studies on the direct impact of vaping on vocal cords, health experts warn about the broader risks associated with vaping beyond nicotine. Dr. Dilini Vethanayagam, a University of Alberta medicine professor, highlighted the potential harm of various chemicals present in vape smoke on the airways, including the vocal cords. Health Canada reports over 1,500 unique chemicals in vaping products, with identified health risks such as lung damage. Vethanayagam stressed the need for stricter regulations on vaping due to its concerning health implications.
Acknowledging Gomez’s influence, Vethanayagam emphasized the importance of public figures like her raising awareness about vaping risks. She commended Gomez for using her platform to address the misconceptions surrounding vaping, particularly regarding nicotine’s impact on vocal health. The expert called for increased regulations on vaping sales and usage to curb what she described as a potential epidemic. In Canada, efforts to restrict vaping flavors have been ongoing due to the rising prevalence of youth vaping, although concrete timelines for implementation remain uncertain. Representatives from N.B. Lung are currently advocating for legislative measures in Ottawa to restrict the sale of tobacco products, including vapes, to minors.