Chemical Elements, Flavor Chemicals, and Nicotine in Unused and Used Electronic Cigarettes Aged 510 Years and Effects of pH From the addictive nicotine to many other harmful chemicals, vapes and e cigarettes are packed with more than just flavor. Contrary to popular belief, vaping has never been the safer option. Join our What's really inside a vape? Many people think vaping is just flavored vapor, but the aerosol from e cigarettes can contain harmful substances that go straight into the lungs. According to the Chemicals in e cigarettes mix together to form new, unexpectedly toxic compounds EurekAlert!