E cigarettes may be less harmful than regular cigarettes, but they aren't harmless. Here are a few of the risks of inhaling the aerosol or vapor a.k.a. vaping produced by e cigarettes: An Illinois resident just died after a mysterious vaping related illness. It could be the first death linked to vaping in the U.S. Chicago Tribune E cigarette use increases risk for developing major respiratory diseases Study: E Cigs Have No Significant Impact on Lung Function Tobacco Reporter