Selena Gomez says vaping changed her voice: Can nicotine affect vocal cords? Doctor explains
New Delhi: Selena Gomez has said that vaping nicotine has changed her voice. The 34-year-old singer and actor also urged people, particularly those struggling with nicotine dependence, not to underestimate how difficult vaping can be to quit.
“I’m not gonna be able to change my voice. I vaped nicotine a lot,” Gomez said in a candid Instagram video.”
“Nicotine is so hard to quit, and I just wanted to say, if you’re going through it, or if you’re even trying to vape, it’s just not worth it,” she continued.
“It’s so stupid, and it changed my voice,” she reiterated, before laughing and adding, “So if you guys don’t like listening to my voice, that’s totally understandable. I don’t mind. Just don’t listen to it.”
Her confession has put the spotlight on a question that may be particularly relevant for young people who assume vaping is relatively harmless: Can vaping actually change the way your voice sounds?
Speaking exclusively to News9 Digital, Dr (Major) Rajesh Bhardwaj, Consultant, MedFirst ENT Centre, explained how the chemicals inhaled while vaping can irritate the throat and affect the delicate structures responsible for producing the voice.
Can vaping affect your voice?
According to Dr Bhardwaj, the absence of conventional cigarette smoke does not mean vaping is harmless to the throat or respiratory system.
“Vaping is often seen as a safer alternative to smoking, especially among young people, but it is important to understand that it is not harmless. When a person inhales vapour from an e-cigarette, the throat and airways are exposed to chemicals and other substances that can cause irritation and inflammation. This can affect not just breathing but also the voice.
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“The vocal cords are delicate structures that need to remain healthy and well-lubricated to produce a clear voice. Exposure to irritating substances can cause dryness, inflammation and swelling around the vocal cords. When this happens, a person may notice hoarseness, a change in voice quality, throat irritation or difficulty speaking for long periods without discomfort. People who use their voices professionally, including singers, teachers and public speakers, may be particularly conscious of these changes,” Dr Bhardwaj explained.
Did vaping cause Selena Gomez’s voice change?
While Gomez herself has linked the change in her voice to vaping nicotine, Dr Bhardwaj cautioned against assuming that vaping is necessarily the only explanation.
“A change in voice, such as the one Selena Gomez has spoken about, is a reminder that the effects of vaping may extend beyond the lungs. However, it is important not to assume that vaping was necessarily the sole cause of her voice changes without a medical assessment. Voice changes can occur for several reasons, including infections, acid reflux, vocal strain and other underlying conditions”, doctor told us.
The singer has previously spoken about living with lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease. During an Instagram Q&A last year, when asked about changes in her voice, she said, “Sometimes things happen. I get weird. My throat kind of swells inside sometimes. That’s all.”
Inflammation affecting the larynx can contribute to hoarseness or changes in voice quality. A person’s voice can also naturally change with age. So it’s hard to say Gomez’s voice changed simply because of vaping without a medical evaluation to determine the cause.
Why vaping can irritate throat even without cigarette smoke
One misconception surrounding e-cigarettes is that because they do not produce conventional tobacco smoke, they pose little risk to the throat.
Dr Bhardwaj said the aerosol inhaled during vaping can still expose the respiratory tract to substances capable of causing irritation.
“Another concern is that people may underestimate the risks of vaping because it does not produce the same smoke as a conventional cigarette. However, the aerosol produced by e-cigarettes can contain nicotine, flavouring chemicals and other substances that may irritate the respiratory tract. Nicotine can also lead to dependence, making it difficult for users to stop.”
This dependence is something Gomez also acknowledged while discussing her experience. The singer revealed that she has now stopped using nicotine and described quitting as difficult.
“I am really excited because I stopped and I just hope I can keep it up,” she said.
“It’s really hard, but I know if you are going through something you can get through it too. It sucks.”
When should a change in voice become a warning sign?
An occasional raspy or hoarse voice does not necessarily indicate a serious problem. A cold, prolonged speaking, shouting or other temporary irritation can affect how someone sounds.
Persistent changes, however, should not simply be ignored, particularly among people who smoke or vape.
“If someone experiences persistent hoarseness, a weak voice or discomfort while speaking, they should consult an ENT specialist rather than ignore the symptoms. A voice change lasting more than two to three weeks, particularly in someone who vapes, deserves medical evaluation.”
An ENT specialist can assess the throat and vocal cords and determine whether the change is linked to irritation, infection, reflux, vocal strain or another underlying problem.
Can your voice recover after quitting vaping?
Stopping exposure to an irritant is an important step towards protecting the throat, but people should not assume that drinking more water or taking a temporary break from vaping makes continued use safe.
Dr Bhardwaj stressed that avoiding vaping and smoking remains the most important preventive measure.
“The best way to protect vocal health is to avoid vaping and smoking. Staying hydrated and avoiding excessive vocal strain can support voice health, but these measures cannot eliminate the risks associated with vaping. Young people, especially those who sing or rely heavily on their voices, should understand that protecting their voice also means protecting their overall respiratory health.”