Inhale this: What does vaping do to your lungs? As e cigarette use grows, more research needed on long term effects of vaping American Heart Association Vaping has become common, but it's important to know what you're inhaling. Many e cigarettes contain nicotine, heavy metals like nickel and lead, and chemicals that can harm your lungs and overall health. Can Vaping Cause Lung Cancer? Here's What We Know.