Is There Sugar in Vapes? Health Insights on Sweetening Agents

Vaping has gained popularity as an alternative to smoking, with many users drawn to its variety of flavors. Some of these flavors are notably sweet, raising questions about whether they contain sugar or similar compounds that could impact health.

Understanding the role of sweetening agents in vape formulations is essential for evaluating their potential effects on oral and overall health.

Main Ingredients in Vaping Formulations

E-liquids are primarily composed of propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG), which function as carriers for nicotine and flavoring agents. PG is a synthetic liquid that produces a throat hit similar to traditional cigarettes, while VG, a thicker and naturally sweeter substance derived from plant oils, contributes to vapor density. The ratio of these two substances influences the vaping experience in terms of smoothness, vapor production, and flavor intensity.

Nicotine, when present, is available in freebase and nicotine salt forms. Freebase nicotine delivers a stronger throat sensation, whereas nicotine salts, modified with an acid to adjust pH levels, allow for higher nicotine concentrations with reduced harshness. Nicotine also interacts with taste receptors, altering the perception of sweetness or bitterness.

Flavoring agents define e-liquids, offering a wide range of tastes from fruit and dessert to menthol and tobacco-like blends. These compounds, typically food-grade and derived from synthetic or natural sources, behave differently when aerosolized. Some, such as diacetyl and acetyl propionyl, have been scrutinized for potential respiratory effects, leading to regulatory restrictions in certain markets. Achieving specific flavor profiles often requires blending multiple compounds, some of which enhance sweetness without the use of actual sugars.

Sweetening Agents and Their Role

To create the sweetness in many e-liquid flavors, manufacturers use alternative compounds that remain stable under heat and dissolve in the PG and VG base. Sucralose, a chlorinated derivative of sucrose, is a common artificial sweetener due to its high potency—hundreds of times sweeter than sugar—allowing for minimal concentrations to achieve the desired effect. Ethyl maltol and maltol, while not true sweeteners, provide caramelized or cotton-candy-like notes that reinforce the perception of sweetness.

Sweetening agents influence not only taste but also the sensory experience of vaping. Vapers often associate sweetness with smoothness, particularly in fruit and dessert flavors. However, excessive sweeteners, especially sucralose, can leave a lingering aftertaste and accelerate coil degradation. Studies indicate that sucralose decomposes at high temperatures, potentially forming toxic compounds such as chloropropanols and polychlorinated dibenzodioxins. While research continues on the risks of inhaling these byproducts, preliminary findings suggest repeated exposure could affect respiratory health.

These agents also alter e-liquid viscosity, contributing to faster residue buildup on vape coils. This buildup affects device performance and aerosol composition by introducing pyrolyzed byproducts into the inhaled vapor. Additionally, sweeteners interact with nicotine, modifying throat hit perception—highly sweetened formulations often feel smoother, even at elevated nicotine levels.

Observed Interactions With Oral Health

Sweetening agents in vape aerosols raise concerns about their impact on oral health, particularly regarding bacterial growth, enamel integrity, and saliva composition. Unlike dietary sugars, which feed cavity-causing bacteria like Streptococcus mutans, artificial sweeteners do not undergo the same metabolic processes. However, research in Scientific Reports indicates that vaping can alter the oral microbiome, increasing the presence of bacteria linked to periodontal disease. Combined with the dehydrating effect of PG and nicotine, this shift may contribute to plaque buildup and gum inflammation.

Flavored e-liquids often contain organic acids, such as citric acid, which lower oral pH and weaken enamel. A Journal of the American Dental Association study found that exposure to flavored vape aerosols reduced enamel microhardness, comparable to early-stage acid erosion from soft drinks. The heating process in vaping devices worsens this issue, as certain sweeteners degrade into acidic byproducts. Frequent vaping may accelerate enamel demineralization, increasing sensitivity to temperature changes and acidic foods.

Nicotine and PG also reduce saliva production, leading to dry mouth (xerostomia). Saliva neutralizes acids, washes away food particles, and delivers essential minerals to teeth. Reduced saliva flow exacerbates bacterial overgrowth and enamel erosion. Some vapers report persistent sweetness or coating sensations on their tongue due to residual sweeteners, which may encourage more frequent consumption of acidic or sugary foods, further compounding dental risks.

Studies on Sugar-Like Compounds in Aerosols

Research confirms that while traditional sugars are absent in e-liquids, certain sugar-like compounds may form during heating. A study in Chemical Research in Toxicology found that sucralose decomposes at high temperatures, producing chlorinated byproducts such as hydrochloric acid and chloropropanols—compounds with potential cytotoxic effects on respiratory tissues. Higher wattage devices accelerate sweetener degradation, increasing the concentration of these byproducts in the aerosol.

Sweetening agents also affect aerosol particle size and deposition in the respiratory tract. A Nicotine & Tobacco Research review noted that ethyl maltol and other volatile sweeteners influence e-liquid viscosity, altering inhaled particle distribution. Smaller aerosol droplets, often produced in devices with optimized sweetener formulations, may penetrate deeper into the lungs, where they persist longer before being cleared. While research has primarily focused on nicotine and flavoring agents, emerging studies highlight the need to examine sweeteners’ contributions to aerosol chemistry and their long-term inhalation effects.

Variations in Flavor Composition

E-liquids come in a vast range of flavors, from fresh fruits to confectionery treats. The specific combination of flavoring compounds determines not only taste but also aerosol stability. Fruit flavors often contain esters and aldehydes, which degrade at high temperatures, producing secondary compounds that may affect both flavor perception and inhalation safety. Dessert and candy-like flavors, which rely heavily on sweeteners and creamy enhancers, tend to have higher concentrations of diketones such as acetoin and acetyl propionyl, which have been studied for potential respiratory effects.

Flavor stability depends on nicotine content, base liquid composition, and device power settings. High-volatility flavoring agents may degrade more rapidly in nicotine-containing e-liquids due to interactions with free radicals formed during vaporization. The PG-to-VG ratio also affects flavor perception—PG enhances sharpness and intensity, while VG mutes certain notes but creates a smoother mouthfeel. These variations mean that the same flavor profile can differ significantly between formulations, requiring manufacturers to adjust ingredient concentrations for consistency. Understanding how these flavoring agents transform during vaporization remains an ongoing area of study, particularly in assessing the long-term effects of inhaling complex aerosolized mixtures.