Vaping Harmless. Vape aerosol contains toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, arsenic, lead, chromium, and nickel. They damage lungs. They harm developing brains. They raise cancer risks. We When someone vapes around others they expose them to 'second hand aerosol'. But what happens to that aerosol then? Does it disappear or is it like cigarette smoke and stays around, sticking to Will Vaping Lead Teens to Smoking Cigarettes? Johns Hopkins Medicine Vaping: Understanding the Risks and Impacts on Health How Smoking vs. Vaping Affects the Eyes