Selena Gomez revealed in a recent video that vaping had a significant impact on her voice, addressing long-standing discussions about changes in her voice. The U.S. singer, actor, and founder of Rare Beauty makeup line shared in a now-unavailable Instagram story that her voice alteration was a result of her extensive use of nicotine through vaping.
Expressing regret over her vaping habit, Gomez emphasized the challenges of quitting nicotine and advised against vaping, calling it “not worth it” and “stupid.” Humorously acknowledging the altered sound of her voice, she indicated understanding for those who may find it less appealing and suggested not listening if it’s bothersome.
While not specifying the duration of her vaping habit, Gomez expressed her determination to stay nicotine-free, acknowledging the difficulty of breaking the habit and encouraging others facing similar challenges to persevere. The artist has been vocal about her health struggles, including her Lupus diagnosis in 2015 and subsequent kidney transplant in 2017, along with her bipolar disorder disclosure in her 2022 documentary “Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me.”
Health experts caution about the broader dangers of vaping beyond nicotine, highlighting the potential impact on vocal cords and overall respiratory health. Dilini Vethanayagam, a professor of medicine at the University of Alberta, noted the lack of extensive clinical trials on vaping’s direct effects on vocal cords but emphasized the harmful effects of the various chemicals present in vape smoke. With over 1,500 unique chemicals in vaping products, including nicotine, long-term health risks such as lung damage have been identified.
Despite ongoing debates on vaping regulations, Vethanayagam stressed the importance of public figures like Gomez raising awareness about the risks associated with vaping. Urging for more stringent regulations on vaping products, she emphasized the need for continued efforts to address the potential epidemic of vaping, particularly among young individuals. In Canada, discussions persist around restricting vaping flavors and implementing stricter regulations to deter youth access to tobacco and vaping products.