Selena Gomez revealed in a video on Sunday that vaping had altered her voice, addressing ongoing discussions about her vocal changes. The U.S. singer, actress, and Rare Beauty makeup line founder explained in a now-deleted Instagram story that her voice had been affected by frequent nicotine vaping. Gomez, 34, emphasized the challenges of quitting nicotine and advised against vaping, highlighting its detrimental effects on her voice.
Acknowledging the impact of vaping on her voice, Gomez humorously mentioned that she understood if listeners found her voice unpleasant and encouraged them not to listen if they preferred. She did not specify the duration of her vaping habit but expressed her struggle to quit and her determination to maintain abstinence.
Over the years, Gomez has been transparent about her health battles. In 2015, she disclosed her diagnosis of Lupus, an autoimmune condition that can affect various bodily systems. She also hinted that her vocal cords may have been influenced by the disease. Additionally, Gomez underwent a kidney transplant in 2017 and disclosed her bipolar disorder diagnosis in her documentary “Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me” in 2022.
While Gomez’s personal experience sheds light on the risks of vaping, health experts emphasize broader concerns beyond nicotine. Dr. Dilini Vethanayagam, a University of Alberta medicine professor, highlighted the potential harm of inhaling various chemicals present in vape smoke, stressing the need for caution. Health Canada reports the presence of over 1,500 unique chemicals in vaping products, with known health hazards such as lung damage.
Vethanayagam emphasized the importance of Gomez’s advocacy against vaping, citing the influence of public figures in raising awareness about the dangers of vaping, particularly in relation to nicotine addiction. She called for stricter regulations on vaping sales and usage to curb the escalating public health crisis associated with vaping.
In response to increasing youth vaping rates, the Canadian government pledged five years ago to limit vaping flavors but has yet to implement the restrictions. Efforts to address vaping-related issues continue, with organizations like N.B. Lung advocating for legislative actions to restrict youth access to tobacco and vaping products.